Special Poll
Trump Criticizes Biden for Honoring Cheney and Thompson with Presidential Citizens Medal
President-elect Donald Trump sharply criticized President Joe Biden on Friday for awarding the Presidential Citizens Medal to former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). Trump dismissed the recognition as “fake medals,” targeting both lawmakers for their roles in investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Cheney was honored by Biden for her service in Congress and her work as vice chair of the House committee investigating the events of Jan. 6. Thompson, the committee’s chair, was recognized for his “lifelong dedication to safeguarding our Constitution.”
Both Cheney and Thompson have long been at odds with Trump, given their focus on investigating his potential involvement in the Capitol riots. In a Truth Social post, Trump accused Cheney and Thompson of destroying evidence from the committee’s investigation and labeled the committee members “crooked.”
Trump also derided Cheney for her 2022 reelection loss, calling it the “largest margin in history,” and accused Biden of rewarding her solely for opposing him. He referred to Cheney as a “warmonger of low intelligence” and claimed she prioritized the interests of defense contractors over the American people. Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, has been vocal about her concerns over Trump’s influence on democracy, even campaigning alongside Vice President Kamala Harris to highlight the issue.
Trump’s criticism extended to Thompson and other vocal opponents, including former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.). He labeled them as “thugs” and reiterated his accusations against former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for alleged security failures on Jan. 6. Despite his repeated claims that Pelosi declined National Guard support, fact-checks, including one from the Associated Press, have shown Trump never formally requested such assistance before or during the riots.
“Liz Cheney, Cryin’ Adam Kinzinger, Bennie Thompson, and the rest of these dishonest thugs have gotten away with horrible things under the pretense of January 6th,” Trump wrote. “Nancy Pelosi refused security help, as seen in her daughter’s tape. They’ve ruined lives and received Biden’s fake medals as a reward. This is not America.”
Trump compared Biden’s actions to his own during his presidency, noting he had awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2019 to Col. Richard Rescorla, a Vietnam War veteran who died saving lives during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Trump also highlighted his controversial Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, such as conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh and GOP donor Miriam Adelson, arguing that his awards were more meaningful than Biden’s.
Despite Trump’s criticisms, Cheney received a standing ovation during the White House ceremony. However, her recognition has fueled partisan tensions, with other Republicans, such as Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), accusing her of divisiveness. “She doesn’t deserve an award,” Barrasso stated. “She represents partisanship, not Wyoming.”