President Joe Biden caused controversy when he decided to grant the Presidential Medal of Freedom to billionaire Democrat supporter George Soros and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
“The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” The White House said in a press release.
“President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else. These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world,” it said.
The awards were given on Saturday in what some believed was the president’s way of trolling President-elect Donald Trump.
“Secretary Clinton made history many times over decades in public service, including as the first First Lady elected to the United States Senate. After serving as Secretary of State, she became the first woman nominated for president by a major United States political party,” the White House said.
“George Soros is an investor, philanthropist, and founder of the Open Society Foundations. Through his network of foundations, partners and projects in more than 120 countries, Soros has focused on global initiatives that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice,” it said.
Curiously absent from the description of Soros were the billions of dollars he had invested in Democrat elections and causes.
Republicans were furious with the two choices, in particular, Soros’ campaign funding ‘criminal reform’ district attorneys who have seen crime numbers in their cities skyrocket, The New York Post reported.
“George Soros spent millions electing soft-on-crime politicians that let criminals wreak havoc in our major cities,” Montana Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy said to The Post. “Hillary Clinton abandoned our Navy SEALs in Libya.”
“Joe Biden’s decision to give Hillary Clinton and George Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom is a national disgrace,” he said.
“The significant financial support of Mr. Soros and his Open Society for far left woke criminal justice reform district attorney and mayoral candidates created havoc in the criminal justice system and significant rises in crime and disorder,” former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said to The Post.
Former NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly, the dad of Newsmax host Greg Kelly, said that he could not “think of anyone who has done more to undermine the rule of law in this country than George Soros.”
“Truly a sad day for America,” New Jersey Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew said. “Communities all across our country will likely never recover from the damage George Soros and his radical left prosecutors have inflicted upon them.”
“Joe Biden is spending his final days in office asking ‘how can I disgrace myself even more?’ And this is just the latest example. Hillary Clinton should have been prosecuted, not celebrated with the nation’s highest civilian honor,” Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley said.
“40% of U.S. homicides occur in areas with Soros-backed prosecutors. Meanwhile, Biden awarded Soros a Medal of Freedom. Americans deserve leaders who prioritize safety, not political favors,” Republican political commentator Bill Mitchell said on X.
“Police officers deserve the Medal of Freedom for dealing with violent criminals set free by Soros prosecutors,” Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton said.
The award is also usually given to other high profile figures in culture and entertainment and, in keeping with that tradition the award was also given to primatologist Jane Goodall, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, soccer star Lionel Messi, actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, Vogue’s Editor in Chief Anna Wintour, another massive Democrat supporter, and former NBA star Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
