Biden gives 2nd highest civilian award to leaders of Jan. 6 congressional committee
2 Video Views·Jul 29, 2025
President Joe Biden on Thursday awarded the second highest civilian medal to Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson, leaders of the congressional investigation into the riot at the U.S. Capitol in January, 2021.
The most important title in America is not president, but citizen. It's we the people.
These are the words that are the rock upon which this entire nation has been built,
not hyperbole. It's fitting that we gather here in the East Room next to the portrait of Teddy
Roosevelt, a reformer, a soldier, a governor, a president. He promoted the cause of active
citizenship. Elizabeth L. Cheney for putting the American people over party.
Benny G. Thompson for his lifelong dedication to safeguarding our Constitution.
Together, you embody, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart,
the essential truth. We're a great nation. We're a great nation because we're a good people.