President Trump
Donald Trump Outgoing Chief of Police of the Capitol Accuses House Senate Security Officials of Obstructing Attempts to Enlist National Guard: WaPo PGA Announces Plans to Move Championship from Trump’s Property to Trump Former Democratic Senator by 2022: Biden Justice Department May 6 Investigate Speakers For Incitement MORE plans to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to the New England Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick.
A White House official confirmed that Trump plans to honor Belichick with the award a week after the president incited a crowd of his supporters to storm the Capitol in a process to certify the president-elect Joe Biden
Joe Biden Outgoing Chief of Capitol Police Accuses House, Senate Security Officials of Obstructing Attempts to Enlist National Guard: WaPo PGA Announces Plans to Move 2022 Championship From Property to Trump Former Democratic Senator: Biden Justice Department May 6 research speakers for incitement MORE‘s victory.
The ceremony will take place towards the end of a week in which House Democrats have vowed to impeach the president for a historic second time in connection with last week’s deadly riots at the Capitol. Trump presented the honors to golfers Gary Player and Annika Sorenstam in the days after the riots.
Belichick will join a list of sports figures to whom Trump has awarded the Medal of Freedom.
Trump and the Patriots coach are old friends, and the president named Belichick on the Presidential Board for Sports, Fitness and Nutrition in 2018. The NFL team and Belichick visited the White House after their Super Bowl win in 2017, but shunned. a return visit after their 2019 win.
In August last year, Trump told Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that Belichick “is a very good friend of mine. He is a winner. “
“You know, if I ever had a military battle, I’d call Belichick and say guess what? What do you think? Give me some ideas, ”Trump said.
“I’m flattered, but I’ll just stick to coaching football,” Belichick told WEEI, a sports station in Boston.
Politico first reported plans to honor Belichick with the award.
The president has also handed the honor over in recent weeks to one of his most outspoken advocates in the House, Reps. Devin Nunes
Devin Gerald Nunes Sunday shows preview: Riots stir Washington as calls for Trump’s removal increase ALSO READ: The Republicans Who Voted To Challenge Election Results Trump Gives Nunes Medal of Freedom MORE (R-Calif.). Rep. Jim Jordan
James (Jim) Daniel Jordan Sunday Show Preview: Riots Stir Washington as Calls for Trump’s Removal Grow READ: The Republicans Who Voted to Challenge Election Results LIVE COVERAGE: Congress Declares Biden Wins After Pennsylvania Challenges, Arizona failed MORE (R-Ohio), another Trump ally, will receive the honor this week, the White House official confirmed.
It is unclear whether both medal ceremonies will be public. Trump typically presented the awards in public during his presidency, but kept the events closed to the press for Nunes and the pair of golfers.
The Hill has contacted the Patriots for comment.
– Updated at 8:55 am