President Biden has bestowed the Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor, upon former Rep. Liz Cheney and Rep. Bennie Thompson for their leadership on the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th Capitol attack. The White House commended the pair for their "exemplary deeds of service" and "steadfast commitment to truth" in their roles as vice chair and chair, respectively.

The White House praised Cheney's two decades of public service, highlighting her commitment to defending American ideals of freedom, dignity, and decency. Her work on the January 6th Committee was specifically recognized for upholding these principles. Thompson's dedication to public service, beginning with his involvement in the Civil Rights movement and extending through his chairmanship of the committee, was also lauded.

The Jan. 6 committee, formed in July 2021, investigated the events surrounding the Capitol breach by Trump supporters. The 18-month investigation concluded in 2023 with criminal referrals to the Justice Department against former President Trump.

The committee, comprised of seven Democrats and two Republicans (Cheney and Adam Kinzinger), faced criticism from Republican officials, including former President Trump. A recent House report even called for an FBI investigation into Cheney for alleged witness tampering. Both Cheney and Thompson refuted these claims, defending the committee's work and the integrity of its findings. Cheney emphasized the extensive evidence presented in the committee's report, including testimony from numerous Republican witnesses.

Senator John Barrasso criticized Biden's decision, characterizing Cheney as representing "partisanship and divisiveness." The award follows speculation about a potential presidential pardon for Cheney. Trump, a consistent critic of the committee, has suggested that Cheney and Thompson should face jail time, accusing them of destroying evidence.

Cheney, once a high-ranking House Republican, lost her seat after being ousted from her leadership position and losing her primary bid for re-election. The Presidential Citizens Medal is second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom in civilian honors.