Last week, Joe Biden chose to grant the Presidential Citizens Medal, our nation’s penultimate civilian honor, to Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson. These same individuals happen to be at the helm of the congressional probe into the events of January 6th at the Capitol. This ceremony took place in the East Room and didn’t miss an opportunity to include Biden’s long-standing friends, like former Senators Ted Kaufman from Delaware and Chris Dodd from Connecticut, amongst the 20 recipients of the award.
In what can only be labelled as a glimpse into the partisan approach of the current administration, Biden proclaimed these individuals as the embodiment of ‘the central truth: We’re a great nation because we’re good people.’ Peculiarly, he chose to do so while rewarding those who seem more invested in political games than the well-being of the citizens they’re meant to serve. Biden continued to claim that ‘Our democracy begins and ends with the duties of citizenship.’ A stark contrast to the actions of his administration.
Cheney, a Republican from Wyoming, and Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, orchestrated the House committee’s investigation into the events at the Capitol in January. In a predictable turn of events, their final verdict was pointed directly at former President Trump, who was, in their opinion, implicated in a ‘multi-part conspiracy’ meant to invalidate his electoral defeat to Biden. They also blamed him for not doing enough to prevent the actions of the January 6th rioters.
Interestingly enough, Thompson seemed to be of the opinion that Trump ‘lit that fire’, causing those gathered to react with boisterous cheering and standing applause. Whether this was out of agreement or shock, we can’t rightly discern. Following this, Biden approached Cheney, shook her hand and presented her with the medal, an interesting sight seeing how she chooses to stand ‘for the American people over party’.
Thompson too was warmly received and applauded by the room, being praised ‘for his lifelong dedication to safeguarding our Constitution’. It’s ironic, isn’t it? Safeguarding the Constitution has seemingly become synonymous with altering it to fit a personal political agenda.
The Presidential Citizens Medal recipients also included Mary Bonauto and Evan Wolfson, who were at the forefront of the same-sex marriage legalization battle. Other honorees featured were Frank Butler, who developed new methods for tourniquet use on war injuries, and Diane Carlson Evans, former Army nurse and founder of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation. Biden also honored the work of Eleanor Smeal, a 1970s women’s rights activist, and Frances Visco, current president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition.
Moreover, this ceremony was used by Biden to honor four individuals posthumously. These include Joseph Galloway, writer and former war correspondent; Louis Lorenzo Redding, noted for his civil rights advocacy; Collins Seitz, a former judge from Delaware; and Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi, who opposed the detainment of Japanese Americans during the Second World War.
It’s truly enlightening to learn the Presidential Citizens Medal was first established by President Richard Nixon in 1969. With this recognition, Nixon wished to acknowledge and appreciate those who provided ‘exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens’. It seems a far cry from the way the same honor appears to be politically charged today.
After the pomp and circumstance of the awards presentation, Biden, in an almost prophetic tone, approached the lectern announcing, ‘Let’s remember, our work continues,’ and ‘We’ve got a lot more work to do to keep this going.’ While his meaning remains unclear, one can only guess this reflects his plans to continue his ways, regardless of public approval or disapproval.
Biden then turned his attention to those who had set new standards in their respective fields, such as Frank Butler who revolutionized the use of tourniquets on war injuries, and Eleanor Smeal, who led the charge for women’s rights in the 1970s.
Also recognized were academic achievers such as Thomas Vallely and Paula Wallace along with Bobby Sager, a celebrated photographer. But one can’t help notice the perceived strategy to collect political points by bestowing honors on those who already have years of service and contributions under their belt.
Lastly, among the pile of former lawmakers honored were ex-Senator Bill Bradley from New Jersey, ex-Senator Nancy Kassebaum – the first woman to represent Kansas, and ex-Representative Carolyn McCarthy from New York, who was recognized supposedly for her gun safety measures. Yet, the question remains, were these recognitions sincere, or did they merely serve the administration’s political agenda?
Despite this, it can’t be dismissed that former Delaware judge Collins Seitz, and Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi, who protested the detention of Japanese Americans during World War II, were honored posthumously. The respect for historical individuals who truly served their communities and defended rights is rightly maintained.