US President Joe Biden on Friday awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, to 19 Americans. That diverse list includes Biden's prominent political allies, celebrities, civil rights leaders and even former political opponents-turned-financial supporters; CNN I will report it.
The list included two of Biden's key allies in the House: former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn.
Pelosi became the first woman to become Speaker of the House in 2007, and when she returned to the position in 2019, she made history by leading the Democratic opposition to former President Donald Trump. She was also instrumental in securing many of Biden's signature bills. During the first two years of her presidential administration she passed through Congress.
“On January 6th, Nancy stood up against violations and defended democracy. Along with her husband Paul, they stood up to extremism with absolute courage, physical courage,” Biden said at Friday's ceremony. ”
He added, “I predict…history will remember you, Nancy, as the greatest Speaker of the House of Representatives.”
Clyburn is credited with attracting black voters in the state to support Biden in the 2020 primary. The victory in South Carolina added momentum to Biden's bid to win the Democratic nomination and eventually become president. Mr. Clyburn has since served as a key ally of the president in Congress and on the campaign trail.
“I can say this without fear of contradiction,” Biden said Friday. “If it wasn't for Jim, I wouldn't be standing here as president accepting these awards.”
The list also included former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, which Biden would eventually win. Bloomberg quickly endorsed Biden after his withdrawal, pledging $100 million to support Biden's campaign in Florida.
Also honored was actress Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
The medal is awarded to “persons who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, security, and world peace of the United States, or to other important social, public, or private endeavors,” according to a statement from the White House. It is said that Biden himself is an award recipient, receiving the medal from then-President Barack Obama at the end of his administration.
