It almost seems like Biden is trying to enrage millions of Americans.
Many of President-elect Donald Trump’s supporters have strongly criticized President Joe Biden’s decision to award Liz Cheney the prestigious Presidential Citizens Medal. The honor is being bestowed on the former Republican congresswoman for her role as vice-chair of the January 6th select committee, which investigated former President Trump’s involvement in the Capitol riot.
Cheney, once a prominent conservative voice representing Wyoming in the U.S. House of Representatives, has become one of the most vocal critics of Trump from within the Republican Party. After leaving Congress, Cheney has aligned herself with Democrats in opposition to Trump, culminating in her high-profile role on the January 6th committee. In turn, Trump has repeatedly criticized Cheney, calling her a “war hawk” and even suggesting she could face legal consequences for her actions during the committee’s investigation.
The decision to award Cheney, along with 19 other recipients, the Presidential Citizens Medal has sparked backlash from many of Trump’s staunch supporters. The White House clarified that the award was being given in recognition of Cheney’s “integrity and intrepidness” in her efforts on the January 6th committee, which Biden praised for “remind[ing] us all what is possible if we work together.”
Mercedes Schlapp, a former Trump administration adviser, called Cheney’s actions part of a “witch hunt” against the former president. She slammed the award on social media, accusing Biden of rewarding Cheney for allegedly manipulating evidence during the investigation. Jason Miller, a key member of Trump’s team, also expressed disdain, labeling the decision as “pathetic” and questioning the priorities of the Biden administration in awarding the medal.
Even some independent conservatives, like journalist Glenn Greenwald, criticized the move as hypocritical, pointing to Cheney’s continued support for policies that many liberals, including Biden, have denounced as authoritarian. One Trump supporter, in a now-deleted post, even referred to the medal as a “clown award,” claiming it diminished the significance of the honor.
As Biden prepares to leave office on January 20, the January 9 ceremony will likely be one of his final acts as president. Meanwhile, Trump will take office on the same day, leading many to speculate about the future dynamics of the GOP and whether Cheney’s award will further cement the divide between establishment Republicans and those loyal to Trump.