Biden Awards Prestigious Medals For Notable Public Service Contributions

President Biden takes center stage in honoring individuals whose service champions accountability and justice in America.

At a Glance

President Biden will award the Presidential Citizens Medal to 20 honorees at the White House.
Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson are recognized for their actions during the January 6 investigation.
The Presidential Citizens Medal honors exemplary service to the nation and its citizens.
Recipients also include figures from civil rights and military advancements.

The Ceremony and Its Prestigious Honor

At a special White House ceremony, President Joe Biden is set to award the Presidential Citizens Medal to 20 individuals, highlighting their extraordinary contributions. This medal, the second highest civilian honor in the United States, stands as a testament to service and dedication to others. Created by President Richard Nixon in 1969, the award recognizes those who profoundly impact the nation and its citizens through exemplary deeds.

This year’s recipients span a wide spectrum of influence, from the realms of civil rights to advances in military medicine. The honorees have displayed actions rooted in helping their fellow citizens and enhancing American society.

Biden is giving Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson the Presidential Citizens Medal for leading the Jan. 6 probe, just weeks before Donald Trump returns to the White House https://t.co/OGjNhbhZOX

— Bloomberg Politics (@bpolitics) January 2, 2025

Recognizing Pivotal Roles in the January 6 Investigation

Two notable recipients, former Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney and Representative Bennie G. Thompson, are recognized for their roles in the January 6 Capitol attack investigation. The January 6 committee concluded that former President Trump conspired to overturn the 2020 election results, led by efforts of both Cheney and Thompson. The White House praised Cheney for defending national ideals, and Thompson for upholding the rule of law.

“President Biden believes these Americans are bonded by their common decency and commitment to serving others. The country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice,” said the White House in a statement.

The commendable efforts during and after the investigation underscore the importance of accountability and truth-seeking within democratic structures. The medals celebrate actions essential to maintaining the integrity of American governance.

President Joe Biden is bestowing the second highest civilian medal on Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson—the lawmakers who led the congressional investigation into the violent Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot by Donald Trump’s supporters.https://t.co/iek2ZE85h1 pic.twitter.com/bvmVLvtiVf

— WAVY TV 10 (@WAVY_News) January 2, 2025

Diverse Contributions and Lasting Impact

The ceremony isn’t limited to roles in government; it spans numerous sectors. Advocates of same-sex marriage, Mary Bonauto and Evan Wolfson, are acknowledged for their pivotal legal work. Military medical advances receive recognition from Frank Butler, while Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi is honored for her WWII-era legal challenge. Eleanor Smeal is recognized for her lifelong dedication to women’s rights and equal pay.

The White House also said in its statement that these Americans “have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.”

The awards also commemorate influential leaders, including Carolyn McCarthy, Bill Bradley, Chris Dodd, Nancy Kassebaum, and Ted Kaufman, alongside others like Diane Carlson Evans and Joseph Galloway. Four individuals are honored posthumously for their transformative contributions.