Biden Awards Presidential Citizens Medal to Cheney, Thompson

President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to former Rep. Liz Cheney and Rep. Bennie Thompson for their roles in the January 6 Committee, sparking significant backlash from Republicans. Critics, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator John Barrasso, labeled the awards as a 'total joke' and an 'utter embarrassment,' accusing Cheney of witness tampering and claiming the committee was a politically motivated endeavor. In a ceremony where Cheney received a standing ovation, Biden praised her for prioritizing 'the American people over party.' The ceremony included 20 honorees, with Biden emphasizing the importance of citizenship in his remarks. GOP critics dismissed the awards as 'meaningless,' suggesting they represented partisan divisiveness rather than true service to the nation. The event has underscored the ongoing tensions within American politics regarding the January 6 attack and its aftermath.