Trump is not happy with Biden’s latest foolish move.
President-elect Donald Trump is fiercely criticizing President Joe Biden for awarding the Presidential Citizens Medal to former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). Trump called the honors “fake medals” and blasted both lawmakers for their roles in the January 6th investigation, which has been a point of contention for Republicans since its inception.
On Thursday, President Biden recognized Cheney and Thompson for their work during the investigation into the Capitol riot. Cheney, who served as the vice chair of the special House committee, and Thompson, who chaired it, were honored for their “lifelong dedication to safeguarding the Constitution.” However, both Republicans and Trump have long viewed their actions as biased and politically motivated, accusing them of focusing on undermining Trump rather than investigating the events of January 6th fairly.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, expressed his outrage over the awards. He stated, “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 also pointed out that Cheney’s political career had ended in disgrace, losing her congressional seat in 2022 by one of the largest margins in history, further fueling his criticism that Biden’s decision to honor her was purely due to her vocal opposition to Trump.
The former president continued by attacking Cheney’s foreign policy views, calling her “a warmonger of low intelligence” who he claimed only wants to escalate conflicts for the benefit of defense contractors. He also lashed out at Thompson and other members of the committee, including former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), labeling them “thugs” who used the January 6th probe as a weapon to destroy lives and careers.
Trump also revisited claims surrounding the security breakdown on January 6, reiterating that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was responsible for turning down an offer of National Guard troops, which Trump believes could have prevented the chaos. This claim has been disputed by fact-checkers, but Trump and many Republicans remain steadfast in pointing to Pelosi as a key figure in the security failures of that day.
Despite the intense backlash from Trump and other Republicans, Cheney received a standing ovation at the White House ceremony, signaling the deep divide between Washington’s political elite and conservative voters. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) also slammed Biden’s decision, saying Cheney’s actions represented partisanship and divisiveness rather than the values of Wyoming.
Trump’s criticism of Cheney, Thompson, and others connected to the January 6th investigation highlights a broader Republican frustration with how the event has been used to attack conservative leaders. It also reinforces his ongoing battle against what he perceives as the weaponization of government institutions to target him and his supporters.
Trump has awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal during his own administration, notably posthumously to Col. Richard Rescorla, a Vietnam War hero who sacrificed his life to save others during the 9/11 attacks. The Presidential Citizens Medal is meant to recognize extraordinary Americans who have made significant contributions to their country, but for Trump and many Republicans, this year’s recipients are seen as emblematic of Washington’s partisan divide.