Former President Donald Trump unleashes a scathing critique of his political adversaries in a series of social media posts.
According to The Hill, Trump expressed outrage over President Biden's decision to award the Presidential Citizens Medal to former Rep. Liz Cheney and Rep. Bennie Thompson for their roles in investigating the January 6 Capitol attack.
The recognition ceremony at the White House highlighted Cheney's service as vice chair and Thompson's leadership as chair of the special House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Both lawmakers received the prestigious civilian honor for their commitment to protecting democratic institutions and the Constitution, with Cheney receiving a standing ovation during the ceremony.
Trump took to Truth Social to voice his displeasure, specifically targeting Cheney's credibility and electoral defeat. He accused the January 6 committee of destroying and deleting evidence from their investigation while characterizing the medals as illegitimate rewards.
Trump stated on Truth Social:
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.
The former president went further in his criticism, describing Cheney as "a Warmonger of low intelligence" and suggesting her only motivation was animosity toward him. He emphasized her historic congressional defeat and questioned her integrity in the investigation process.
Trump redirected attention to former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, attempting to attribute security failures on January 6 to her leadership. However, fact-checking efforts by AP have disputed Trump's claims about National Guard deployment, noting he never formally requested troops before or during the riots.
The Presidential Citizens Medal has a significant history under Trump's own administration. In 2019, he posthumously awarded it to Vietnam War veteran Col. Richard Rescorla for his heroic actions during the September 11 attacks.
Trump's controversial medal-giving history includes his decision to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to conservative figures like Rush Limbaugh and Miriam Adelson. He recently claimed the Medal of Freedom holds more prestige than the military's Medal of Honor.
Republican criticism of the medal ceremony extended beyond Trump. Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming publicly denounced the award, stating that Cheney deserved neither a pardon nor an award, characterizing her actions as fostering division rather than representing Wyoming's interests.
The controversy highlights ongoing political tensions surrounding the January 6 investigation and its aftermath. Cheney's alliance with Vice President Harris in warning about threats to democracy has further intensified partisan reactions to her recognition.
President Biden's decision to honor Cheney and Thompson with the Presidential Citizens Medal has intensified political divisions within the Republican Party. The awards ceremony recognized their roles in investigating the January 6 Capitol attack while drawing fierce criticism from Trump and his allies who continue to dispute the investigation's legitimacy and findings.
The controversy surrounding the medal ceremony reflects deeper tensions within American politics, particularly regarding the events of January 6 and their investigation. As both recipients continue their public service, the debate over their recognition highlights ongoing disagreements about democratic institutions and political accountability.
