US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday blasted President Joe Biden for awarding the presidential citizens medal to former representative Liz Cheney and representative Bennie Thompson, who led the Congressional investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot. He called the medals “fake” and alleged that the two lawmakers “destroyed and deleted” all the evidence during the investigation of the riot.
The ceremony at the White House recognized Cheney, the former Republican congresswoman from Wyoming, for her congressional service and role on the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack, and Thompson, a Democratic representative from Mississippi, for his work as the committee’s chair.
On January 6, 2021, a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, in an attempted self-coup, occurring two months after his loss in the 2020 presidential election. The committee concluded that Trump was criminally involved in a “multi-part conspiracy” to reverse the legitimate results of the election he lost to Biden and did not take action to prevent his supporters from assaulting the Capitol.
Trump, in a post on his ‘Truth Social’ platform, criticised both lawmakers for their involvement in the January 6 committee. He alleged that Cheney, Thompson, and the “rest of the unselect committee” destroyed and deleted all the evidence during the investigation.
“Biden gave Liz Cheney a Medal yesterday, even though she has proven to be totally corrupt. She, ‘Bennie’ Thompson, and the rest of the Unselect Committee, destroyed and deleted all evidence from their crooked investigation of January 6th,” Trump said in his post.
Trump comments on Cheney’s election loss
Trump also commented on Cheney’s election loss, saying, “She has the distinction of losing her Congressional seat by the largest margin in History!” and claimed, “Biden rewarded her only because she hated ‘TRUMP.’” He further criticized Cheney, calling her a “Warmonger of low intelligence” and alleging “all she wants to do is kill people.”
‘Fake medals’
Trump also included former representative Adam Kinzinger in his criticisms of Cheney and Thompson, and referred to them as “thugs.” He also blamed former house speaker Nancy Pelosi for security failures on Jan. 6.
“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. Nancy Pelosi refused to accept the help which was offered for security. She is responsible, and admitted as much, for all to see, on her daughter’s tape. They have destroyed the lives of many people, and are rewarded by getting Biden Fake Medals. This is not America,” Trump said.
Senator John Barrasso also criticised the award given to Cheney, saying, “She represents partisanship and divisiveness — not Wyoming.” Cheney received a standing ovation when her medal was presented.
Biden awards presidential citizens medal to 20
Biden on Thursday awarded the presidential citizens medal to 20 individuals, including Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson, who led the Congressional investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot.
The ceremony took place in the East Room of the White House. Other recipients included advocates for marriage equality, a pioneer in battlefield medicine, and several former lawmakers. Biden also posthumously honored four individuals.
“Together, you embody the central truth: We’re a great nation because we’re a good people,” Biden said. “Our democracy begins and ends with the duties of citizenship. That’s our work for the ages and it’s what all of you embody.”
The presidential citizens medal is the second-highest civilian honor in the United States. It recognizes individuals who have performed exemplary service to the country or their fellow citizens.
Trump previously awarded the presidential citizens medal to Colonel Richard Rescorla in 2019. He also awarded the medal of freedom to figures like Rush Limbaugh and Miriam Adelson during his presidency.
