WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump will present one of the country’s highest civilian honors to two of his most outspoken congressmen, California Representative Devin Nunes and Ohio President Jim Jordan, while rewarding loyalists with just over two. weeks left in his term.
The White House has confirmed that Trump will hand over the presidential medal of freedom to Nunes on Monday. The former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee was an ardent supporter of Trump during investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election and the president’s 2019 accusation by the Democratic House.
In a statement, the White House accused Nunes of exposing “the biggest scandal in US history”, citing Nunes’ efforts to discredit the election interference.
US intelligence agencies and multiple congressional committees have concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election with the aim of advancing Trump’s candidacy. Several Trump assistants and associates, including former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, have been convicted or pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in the course of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. A presidential pardon was issued to Flynn last month.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established by President John F. Kennedy, is intended to recognize those who have made a “particularly deserving contribution” to national security, world peace, or a cultural or other important public or private effort. ‘
The award comes because Trump has rewarded supporters with the benefits and prestige of serving on a number of federal advisory boards and commissions before resigning on January 20.
Jordan, one of the GOP leaders trying to undermine confidence in the outcome of the 2020 presidential election won by Democrat Joe Biden, is expected to receive the award next week. Trump’s intent to pass the award to lawmakers was first reported by The Washington Post.