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President Joe Biden announced he will award January 6th Committee Vice Chair Representative Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), and Chairman Representative Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) the Presidential Citizens Medal. The press release said Biden is recognizing the for their roles in investigating the events of January 6, 2021:
Elizabeth L. Cheney
Throughout two decades in public service, including as a Congresswoman for Wyoming and Vice Chair of the Committee on the January 6 attack, Liz Cheney has raised her voice—and reached across the aisle—to defend our Nation and the ideals we stand for: Freedom. Dignity. And decency. Her integrity and intrepidness remind us all what is possible if we work together.
Bennie G. Thompson
Born and raised in a segregated Mississippi, as a college student inspired by the Civil Rights movement, Bennie Thompson volunteered on campaigns and registered southern Black voters. That call to serve eventually led him to Congress, where he chaired the House January 6th Committee—at the forefront of defending the rule of law with unwavering integrity and a steadfast commitment to truth.
The award was established by President Richard Nixon in 1969. It was intended to recognize an individual “who has performed exemplary deeds or services for his or her country or fellow citizens.” Second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom, it is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.
During an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press host Kristen Welker last month, President-elect Donald Trump criticized Cheney’s and Thompson’s actions on the House Select Committee on January 6. He specified a report by Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) alleging they attempted to cover up their corrupt actions by deleting over 100 files containing testimony:
But Cheney did something that’s inexcusable, along with Thompson and the people on the un-select committee of political thugs and, you know, creeps. So the un-select committee went through a year and a half of testimony…. They deleted and destroyed all evidence … that they found. You know why? Because Nancy Pelosi was guilty. Nancy Pelosi turned down 10,000 troops — you wouldn’t have had a J6. Because other people were guilty….
Now, listen, this was a committee, a big deal. They lied. And what did they do? They deleted and destroyed a whole year and a half worth of testimony…. I think those people committed a major crime…. Cheney was behind it, and so was Bennie Thompson, and everybody on that committee. For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail.
