USA Biden honors Republican Trump critic Cheney
US President Joe Biden has awarded Republican Trump critic Liz Cheney one of the USA's highest civilian honors.
03.01.2025, 04:08
SDA
The 58-year-old was honored for putting the interests of the American people above those of the parties, it was said at the ceremony in the White House.
A statement on the award highlighted Cheney's role on the House committee investigating the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, by supporters of then-elected President Donald Trump. Cheney was deputy chair of the committee. It was chaired by Democrat Bennie Thompson, who was also awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal and honored for his lifelong commitment to protecting the Constitution.
Repercussions for Cheney
Cheney is the daughter of former Republican US Vice President Dick Cheney, who was George W. Bush's deputy from 2001 to 2009. After the storming of the parliament building in the capital Washington almost exactly four years ago, she renounced Trump - not without consequences for her political career: she was ousted from top positions due to the power of Trump and his followers and lost her congressional seat. In the 2024 election campaign, she supported the Democrat Kamala Harris.
According to the White House, the Presidential Citizens Medal is awarded to citizens of the United States who have made an exemplary contribution to their country or their fellow citizens.
Precautionary pardon?
There is speculation that Biden could pardon Cheney as a precautionary measure - out of concern about possible legal action against her during Trump's second term of office, which begins on January 20. During the election campaign, the Republican repeatedly vowed revenge on his opponents, insulting them and calling them warmongers who should look down the barrel of a gun themselves.
