Recently, in a move dripping with irony, President Joe Biden conferred the Presidential Citizens Medal, an accolade trumpeted as the nation’s second highest civilian honor, to former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney and Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson. Ordinarily, these two would not be thrust into the limelight for such an honor. However, they were both spearheads of the House Select Committee that inspected the events of January 6, 2021.
Consider the peculiar case of Liz Cheney, who served Wyoming for three terms before being dethroned in 2022. Cheney proved herself to be one of the most vocal critics of then President-elect Donald Trump while within the walls of the Congressional building. At one point, Trump even suggested that Cheney should serve time behind bars, along with others linked to the infamous Jan. 6 investigation.
Although Cheney’s vocal disapproval of Trump won her some short-lived fame, her political future seems uncertain at best. Some speculate that Biden might grant her a convenient pardon well in advance of any indictment – a theory as puzzling as it is laughable. After all, why would a career politician like Cheney require a pre-emptive pardon unless her actions warranted such precaution?
During the award ceremony, Biden underscored the importance of citizenship, suggesting that democracy begins and ends with the responsibilities of being a citizen. Quite a telling remark to make while rewarding two individuals notorious for sparking controversy and disregarding opposing viewpoints. Perhaps it was intended as a thinly veiled dig at citizens who dare to hold contrasting political beliefs.
Interesting enough, Cheney earned some form of acclaim for extending an olive branch to the other side of the aisle, in defense of our nation and our cherished values. Given the overwhelmingly partisan nature of her committee work, however, such characterizations seem less like accurate descriptions and more like carefully crafted narratives.
During her tenure as vice chair of the Jan. 6 committee, Cheney demonstrated loyalty to Biden and threw her support behind Vice President Kamala Harris when she emerged as the Democratic nominee for the presidential race in 2024. A fine play, no doubt, but one that raises questions about Cheney’s commitment to her party and her inherent political ideology.
We also have Bennie Thompson of Mississippi who, as chair of the Jan. 6 committee, was dubbed by the White House as being instrumental in defending the rule of law with unyielding integrity and an unwavering commitment to truth. Once again, such grandiose statements seem overly generous considering the dubious actions that have transpired under his leadership.
Trump famously hinted that both Cheney and Thompson should face imprisonment. Cheney, daughter of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney, fell out of favor with Trump after she criticized him in the aftermath of the disturbances at the Capitol. Was this a principled stand, or a shrewd political maneuver playing out our democracy’s high-stakes game of power?
Trump further denounced Cheney and Thompson for their roles on this highly polarized and partisan committee, labeling them political thugs and creeps. His strong sentiments reflect a wide concern that this committee may be less about justice and more about a political witch hunt targeting specific individuals.
Among the 20 recipients of this medal were a spectrum of individuals whose contributions ranged from advancing social issues like marriage equality to performing valiant services during wartime. While it’s not my place to question their merit, the selection of Cheney and Thompson does reek of political opportunism more than honor and valor.
Highlighting another bizarre choice, attorney and activist Mary L. Bonauto was honored for spearheading the legalization of same-sex marriage in several states. A feat indeed, but one that interestingly aligns neatly with the Biden administration’s platform, continuing a pattern of awarding allies under the guise of honoring heroism.
To add to this parade of close friends and ideological comrades honored by Biden, we have former Delaware Sen. Ted Kaufman and former Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut. Both are known to share a long history with Biden, raising eyebrows about the motivations behind these awards.
The roster keeps on alienating those with differing political views with the selection of Sen. Bill Bradley, a twice-time NBA Champion and a New Yorker through and through, as well as Diane Carson Evans, an army nurse with a commendable record of service during the Vietnam War.
One of the spices in this political brew is former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, who bears the distinction of being the first woman to represent Kansas in the Senate. Such dubious character reference and selection criterion, however, make the award look more like lip service to token diversity than a recognition of genuine achievement.
In retrospect, Biden’s distributions of these prestigious awards seem to translate into rewarding those who align with his politics and punishing those who don’t – dangerously teetering on the edge of tribalism. Let us not forget that our nation is founded on principles of freedom, dignity, and decency – and we must hold fast to these, even when the political winds blow in our favor.