On Thursday, former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and several other Americans received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Biden in recognition of their contributions to the nation.
Cheney’s recognition stemmed from her service in Congress and her role on the special House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, as well as her advocacy for democracy.
When her name was announced, the public address announcer noted that she was being honored “for putting the American people over party.” As she stood alongside Biden, Cheney was met with a standing ovation from attendees in the East Room.
In addition to Cheney, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss…), who chaired the January 6 committee, was also honored with the medal. His recognition was attributed to his “lifelong dedication to safeguarding our Constitution.”
Among the other recipients were former Senators Chris Dodd (D-Conn..) and Ted Kaufman (D-Del.), Mary Bonauto, who argued for marriage equality in the Obergefell case before the Supreme Court, NBA champion and former Senator Bill Bradley (D-N.J.), former Army nurse Diane Carlson Evans, and former Senator Nancy Kassebaum (R-Kan.).
Cheney’s recognition was met with criticism from some Republicans, who have accused her of exacerbating partisan divisions. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) expressed his disapproval earlier on Thursday, stating that Biden “was either going to pardon Liz Cheney or give her an award. She doesn’t deserve either. She represents partisanship and divisiveness, not Wyoming.”
