President Biden Bestows Prestigious Presidential Citizens Medal on Liz Cheney

Department of Research, Studies and International News03-01-2025

In a ceremony at the White House, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation’s second-highest civilian honor, to 20 individuals who have significantly contributed to the country’s democratic and social fabric. Among the recipients were notable figures, including Liz Cheney, a Republican and vocal critic of former President Donald Trump. The event highlighted the recipients’ extraordinary contributions, particularly in the context of safeguarding American democracy following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

President Biden emphasized the importance of active citizenship during the event, saying, “The most important title in America is not president but citizen. It is ‘We the people.’” The recipients included individuals from various fields, showcasing a wide range of accomplishments. These included a civil rights leader who paved the way for desegregation, an advocate for same-sex marriage legalization, and a military doctor who advanced trauma care for soldiers on the battlefield.

The awards also celebrated members of the congressional committee tasked with investigating the January 6 Capitol attack. Representative Bennie Thompson of Louisiana, the committee chair, and former Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the vice chair, were commended for their unwavering dedication to democracy. Cheney received a standing ovation as she was introduced as someone who prioritized the American people over party politics. Thompson was praised for his lifelong efforts to protect the U.S. Constitution.

Liz Cheney’s political trajectory has been profoundly shaped by her role on the January 6 committee. Once a rising Republican star, Cheney became a polarizing figure within her party for her criticism of Trump. She was one of two Republicans on the investigative committee, which released an 850-page report accusing Trump of orchestrating a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results.

The report unequivocally blamed Trump, stating, “The central cause of January 6th was one man, former President Donald Trump, whom many others followed. None of the events of January 6 would have happened without him.”

Cheney’s firm stance cost her politically; she lost her primary election to a Trump-endorsed challenger. Despite this, she continued to speak out against Trump, warning of the dangers his influence poses to democracy. In a 2023 NPR interview, she accused Trump of transforming the Republican Party into a “cult of personality” and voiced concerns about the potential erosion of democratic values under his leadership.

As President Biden prepares to leave office, the medal ceremony stands as a testament to his administration’s commitment to recognizing those who have fought to uphold democracy. For honorees like Cheney and Thompson, the event underscores their enduring impact on American political discourse, even as they face criticism and challenges.

In his closing remarks, Biden reflected on the honorees’ collective contributions, saying, “Today, we celebrate a new group of Americans who dedicated their careers to serving our democracy in essential ways.”