Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
President Joe Biden Friday marked the second anniversary of the riots that led to the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 by granting one of the nation’s highest civilian honors to 14 people who showed courage and selflessness during the events that surrounded the deadly insurrection.
The awards ceremony at the White House was the first time Biden has awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal, which is awarded to Americans “who have performed exemplary works of service for their country or their fellow citizens”.
On January 6th, our democracy was attacked. Two years later, we honor a few heroes – officers and public servants alike – responsible for safeguarding our democracy with absolute courage.
Today, 14 of them receive the Presidential Citizens Medal. pic.twitter.com/o9oqtToFxA
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 6, 2023
The group included law enforcement officers, current and former politicians, and poll workers who were subjected to threats after the 2020 presidential race. Three of the medals were awarded posthumously to officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and died afterward. due to injury or suicide.
History will remember them for their bravery and courage.”
Joe Biden, President of the United States
Among the honorees are nine police officers who confronted the assailants at the Capitol and five election officials from states including Michigan and Philadelphia, where efforts were underway to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, which Biden won. in front of the then president, the Republican Donald Trump.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that the United States is indebted to you (…) it was democracy that was at stake,” the president stressed during the ceremony.
Three police officers were posthumously honored: brian sicknickwho died after the attack, Howard Liebengood and Jeffrey Smith, who committed suicide after the assault.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers were among the election officials awarded the medal for his “efforts to resist attempts to overturn the results” of the 2020 presidential election, Biden noted.
Relatives of the police officers and officials were present at the event, as was the vice president of the country, Kamala Harris.
The Presidential Medal for Citizens It is the second highest honor a United States president can bestow on a civilian, surpassed only by the Medal of Freedom. It is the first time that Biden has delivered this type of commemoration in his term.
According to data from the authorities, about 140 agents were attacked by pro-Trump protesters, who were armed with axes, bats, hockey sticks and other weapons, during the assault on the Capitol.
Five people, including a policeman, were killed in the attack.
On January 6, 2021, hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the headquarters of Congress when a joint session of the two chambers was held to ratify Biden’s victory, after the Republican delivered an incendiary speech in which he encouraged his supporters. to march on Capitol Hill amid their unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud in 2020.