President Joe Biden will honor a diverse group of 19 individuals with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S. Among the recipients are Clarence B Jones, known for his activism during the Civil Rights Movement, and seven politicians including Michael Bloomberg, Al Gore, and Nancy Pelosi. The honorees represent various fields such as politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ advocacy, recognized for their contributions to the prosperity, values, security, and societal endeavors of the United States.
This is a partial list of recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, listed chronologically within the aspect of life in which each recipient is or was renowned.The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded by the president of the United States "for especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." Honorees are selected by the president or recommended to them by the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of the United States, alongside the Congressional Gold Medal. It is an award bestowed by decision of the president of the United States to recognize people who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." The award is not limited to U.S. citizens, and, while it is a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on the uniform. It was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, superseding the Medal of Freedom that was initially established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to honor civilian service.Occasionally, the medal award is further denoted as, "with distinction". There are no specific criteria for receiving the award with distinction; Executive Order 11085 simply specifies that the award should come in two degrees, and hence any decision to award the higher degree is entirely at the discretion of the president. In 2017, President Barack Obama stated that receiving the award with distinction indicates "an additional level of veneration" in a class of individuals already held in the highest esteem. As of January 2022, 26 people have been awarded the medal with distinction, amounting to approximately 4% of all awards.The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the supreme civilian decoration that can be awarded in discretion of the president, whereas its predecessor, the Medal of Freedom, was inferior in precedence to the Medal for Merit; the Medal of Freedom was awarded by any of three Cabinet secretaries, whereas the Medal for Merit was awarded by the president, as is the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Presidential Citizens Medal is an award bestowed by the president of the United States. It is the second-highest civilian award in the United States and is second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Established by executive order on November 13, 1969, by President Richard Nixon, it recognizes an individual "who has performed exemplary deeds or services for his or her country or fellow citizens." Only United States citizens are eligible for the medal, which may be awarded posthumously.The medal is a disc of gilt and enamel, based on the seal of the president of the United States, with the eagle surrounded by a wreath of leaves. The medal is suspended on a ribbon, dark blue with a light blue central stripe and white edge stripes.
Former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman, known for his independent streak and almost becoming the first Jewish vice president in 2000, was honored at a funeral service in Stamford, Connecticut. Lieberman, who died at the age of 82, was remembered for his pragmatic approach and close Senate relationships. His early stand against Bill Clinton's behavior played a significant role in his selection as Al Gore's running mate. Lieberman's controversial support for the Iraq War and his independent political choices shaped his legacy in American politics.
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. The medal is normally awarded by the President of the United States (the commander in chief of the armed forces) and is presented "in the name of the United States Congress." It is often, not strictly correctly, referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor.There are three distinct variants of the medal: one for the Army, awarded to soldiers; one for the Naval Service, awarded to sailors, marines, and coast guardsmen; and one for the Air and Space Forces, awarded to airmen and guardians. The Medal of Honor was introduced for the Naval Service in 1861, soon followed by the Army's version in 1862. The Air Force used the Army's version until they received their own distinctive version in 1965. The Medal of Honor is the oldest continuously issued combat decoration of the United States Armed Forces. The President typically presents the Medal of Honor at a formal ceremony intended to represent the gratitude of the American people, with posthumous presentations made to the primary next of kin.There have been 3,535 Medals of Honor awarded, with over 40% awarded for actions during the American Civil War. 911 Army medals were revoked after Congress authorized a review in 1917, and a number of Navy medals were also revoked prior to the turn of the century—none of these are included in this total except for those that were subsequently restored. In 1990, Congress designated March 25 annually as Medal of Honor Day.
Clarence Benjamin Jones (born January 8, 1931) is an American lawyer and the former personal counsel, advisor, draft speech writer and close friend of Martin Luther King Jr. Jones is a scholar in residence at the Martin Luther King Jr. Institute at Stanford University. He is the author of What Would Martin Say? (HarperCollins, 2008) and Behind the Dream: The Making of the Speech that Transformed a Nation (Palgrave-Macmillan, 2011). His book Last of the Lions was released on August 1, 2023 (Redhawk Publications). Jones currently serves as Chairman of the non-profit Spill the Honey Foundation.. In 1962, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter recommending his lawyer and advisor, Clarence B. Jones, to the New York State Bar, stating: "Ever since I have known Mr. Jones, I have always seen him as a man of sound judgment, deep insights, and great dedication. I am also convinced that he is a man of great integrity."
The Presidential Medal of Merit (Pampanguluhang Medalya ng Merito) is an honor given by the Republic of the Philippines.
Bruce Springsteen, the first US musician to receive the prestigious Ivors Academy Fellowship, is honored for enriching the UK's cultural fabric. With a distinguished career spanning over 50 years, he is acclaimed for iconic albums like "Born To Run" and hits like "Born In The USA." Springsteen, known for his marathon live shows, has sold over 140 million records and received numerous awards including a Tony, 20 Grammys, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His induction into the Ivors Academy recognizes his storytelling prowess and impact on the music industry.
During the State of the Union address, Speaker Mike Johnson rolled his eyes and made perplexed expressions as President Biden spoke. Johnson later apologized to Biden for the viral memes depicting the incident during a Capitol Hill event celebrating US-Ireland relations. Biden appreciated the apology, contrasting Johnson's decorum to Nancy Pelosi's actions at a previous address. Johnson's desire to be a gentleman in politics was noted, despite his criticisms of Biden's policies like the handling of the US-Mexico border.
Bruce Springsteen, the American icon, has been named a Fellow of the Ivors Academy, making history as the first international songwriter to receive this award. He has sold over 140 million records globally, won 20 Grammys, an Oscar, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Springsteen expressed gratitude towards his fans and the UK for their support over the last 50 years. The induction ceremony will take place in London on 23rd May 2024, where the winner of the 2024 Ivor Novello will also be announced.
Psychologist Daniel Kahneman, known for his insights into how neurological biases influence decision-making, passed away at the age of 90. He won the Nobel Prize in economics and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2013.
Jews played an important role in the American civil rights movement, forming alliances with African American leaders and organizations. Jewish individuals and groups like the Anti-Defamation League actively supported the movement against legalized racial injustice. Several prominent Jewish leaders such as Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Jack Greenberg marched alongside figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and also contributed significantly to landmark legal victories.This collaboration extended beyond symbolism to encompass financial support, legal expertise, and grassroots activism, reinforcing the movement's strength. With many Jews taking up leadership positions within the NAACP. The collaboration between Jews and African Americans helped each minority address legalized societal limits.
President Joe Biden expressed support for peaceful protests but condemned unlawful actions during anti-Gaza war protests at US universities, stating that the protests have not made him reconsider his Gaza-related policies. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations continue at multiple universities, resulting in over 1,000 arrests. Biden emphasized the importance of protecting free speech and the rule of law as tensions escalate on campuses.
Joe Biden's tenure as the 46th president of the United States began with his inauguration on January 20, 2021. Biden, a Democrat from Delaware who previously served as vice president for two terms under President Barack Obama, took office following his victory in the 2020 presidential election over Republican incumbent president Donald Trump. Upon his inauguration, he became the oldest president in American history, breaking the record set by his predecessor Trump. Biden entered office amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an economic crisis, and increased political polarization.On the first day of his presidency, Biden made an effort to revert President Trump's energy policy by restoring U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement and revoking the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. He also halted funding for Trump's border wall, an expansion of the Mexican border wall. On his second day, he issued a series of executive orders to reduce the impact of COVID-19, including invoking the Defense Production Act of 1950, and set an early goal of achieving one hundred million COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States in his first 100 days.Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021; a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill that temporarily established expanded unemployment insurance and sent $1,400 stimulus checks to most Americans in response to continued economic pressure from COVID-19. He signed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; a ten-year plan brokered by Biden alongside Democrats and Republicans in Congress, to invest in American roads, bridges, public transit, ports and broadband access. Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making Juneteenth a federal holiday in the United States. He appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court—the first Black woman to serve on the court. After The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Biden took executive actions, such as the signing of Executive Order 14076, to preserve and protect women's health rights nationwide, against abortion bans in Republican led states. Biden proposed a significant expansion of the U.S. social safety net through the Build Back Better Act, but those efforts, along with voting rights legislation, failed in Congress. However, in August 2022, Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, a domestic appropriations bill that included some of the provisions of the Build Back Better Act after the entire bill failed to pass. It included significant federal investment in climate and domestic clean energy production, tax credits for solar panels, electric cars and other home energy programs as well as a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies. Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act, bolstering the semiconductor and manufacturing industry, the Honoring our PACT Act, expanding health care for US veterans, and the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act. In late 2022, Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act, which repealed the Defense of Marriage Act and codified same-sex and interracial marriage in the United States. In response to the debt-ceiling crisis of 2023, Biden negotiated and signed the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which restrains federal spending for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, implements minor changes to SNAP and TANF, includes energy permitting reform, claws back some IRS funding and unspent money for COVID-19, and suspends the debt ceiling to January 1, 2025. Biden established the American Climate Corps and created the first ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. On September 26, 2023, Joe Biden visited a United Auto Workers picket line during the 2023 United Auto Workers strike, making him the first US president to visit one.The foreign policy goal of the Biden administration is to restore the US to a "position of trusted leadership" among global democracies in order to address the challenges posed by Russia and China. In foreign policy, Biden completed the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan, declaring an end to nation-building efforts and shifting U.S. foreign policy toward strategic competition with China and, to a lesser extent, Russia. However, during the withdrawal, the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban seized control, leading to Biden receiving bipartisan criticism. He responded to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by imposing sanctions on Russia as well as providing Ukraine with over $100 billion in combined military, economic, and humanitarian aid. Biden also approved a raid which led to the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, the leader of the Islamic State, and approved a drone strike which killed Ayman Al Zawahiri, leader of Al-Qaeda. Biden signed AUKUS, an international security alliance, together with Australia and the United Kingdom. Biden called for the expansion of NATO with the addition of Finland and Sweden, and rallied NATO allies in support of Ukraine. During the Israel–Hamas war, Biden condemned Hamas and other Palestinian militants as terrorism and announced American military support for Israel; Biden also showed his support and sympathy towards Palestinians affected by the war, sent humanitarian aid, and brokered a four-day temporary pause and hostage exchange.Biden began his term with over 50% approval ratings; however, these fell significantly after the withdrawal from Afghanistan and remained low as the country experienced high inflation and rising gas prices. His age and mental fitness have also been a subject of discussion.
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