President Biden To Award Jan. 6 Committee Leaders With Presidential Citizens Medal

Posted on: January 2, 2025, 10:04h. 

Last updated on: January 2, 2025, 10:04h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
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On Thursday evening at the White House, President Joe Biden will give the second-highest civilian medals to former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS).

Biden Presidential Citizens Medal Liz Cheney
United States House of Reps. Bennie Thompson and Liz Cheney preside over a hearing on the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol on June 28, 2022. Thompson and Cheney are set to receive Presidential Citizens Medals from President Joe Biden. (Image: EPA)

Biden plans to recognize the two who spearheaded the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to punish members of the January 6th committee and has regularly condemned Cheney.

At 5 p.m. this evening, Biden will bestow the Presidential Citizens Medal on Cheney and Thompson. The award is the second-highest civilian honor a citizen can receive after the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In 1969, President Richard Nixon created the Presidential Citizens Medal “to recognize citizens of the United States of America who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.” The medal is determined at the sole discretion of the president. Recent recipients include activists, athletes, first responders, election workers, medical personnel, public officials, teachers, and volunteers.

Pardon Odds 

Biden is amid his final days in office — 18 to be precise. The president continues to issue pardons and awards as his more than five decades in Washington, D.C., come to a close.

Last month, the president sparked outrage when he commuted the death sentences for 37 inmates on federal death row. His pardon of his son Hunter for all offenses he may or may not have committed between Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 1, 2024, added to the scrutiny.

With Trump threatening to prosecute those who he thinks did him wrong since his 2020 election defeat, many think Cheney could receive a presidential pardon as Biden exits the White House.

Cheney did something inexcusable, along with Thompson and the people on the un-select committee of political thugs,” Trump said last month on NBC’s “Meet the Press” with Kristen Welker. “Honestly, they should go to jail.”

Biden disagrees and is honoring the work the J6 committee did to investigate the riot on the Capitol. His awarding Cheney and Thompson the Presidential Citizens Medal could hint that they might receive federal legal immunity for their work.

On Kalshi, a political wagering exchange, bettors give Cheney a 13% chance of being pardoned. Polymarket, a similar online platform, gives the former congresswoman a 12% chance. Thompson is not listed on either site.

Biden’s oldest brother, Jim Biden, has the best odds of being pardoned at an implied shot of 20%. Jim Biden’s business dealings have a checkered past, and some believe a Trump Justice Department could be inclined to investigate if the president assisted or aided Jim during his political career.

Trump Says He’s ‘Chief Law Enforcement Officer’ 

During his “Meet the Press” appearance, the president-elect said he has “the absolute right” to go after his political foes.

“I’m the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I’m the president,” Trump said before adding that he’s “not interested in that.”