On the second anniversary of Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, President Joe Biden commemorated the law enforcement and election officials on duty during the attack. While describing the attack’s impact, Biden mistakenly said the wrong date, “July the 6th.”
During Friday’s ceremony, 14 individuals received the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian award bestowed by the president, for demonstrating bravery and true American heroism amid anarchy. Some of the recipients were awarded posthumously.
“Two years ago, on January the 6th, our democracy was attacked,” Biden began his speech. “There’s no other way of saying it. The U.S. Capitol was breached, which had never happened before in the history of the United States, even during the Civil War.”
He continued, “A violent mob of insurrectionists assaulted law enforcement, vandalized sacred halls, hunted down elected officials — all for the purpose of an attempt to overthrow the will of the people and usurp the peaceful transfer of power.”
Biden implied in his speech that the attack on the Capitol was an international embarrassment. In doing so, the president said the wrong date.
“The impact of what happened on July the 6th had international repercussions beyond what I think any of you can fully understand,” he said, getting into a story about how other leaders around the world saw and heard about the chaotic moment, which has changed much of the world’s view of America.
Biden addressed how the entire riot ensued (fueled by the relentless former President Donald Trump) because people didn’t like the election’s outcome and believed that the election was rigged. He recognized the ones who refused to abdicate from their authoritative positions despite the threat of an intimidating amount of Trump-loving mobsters.
“For the first time in my presidency, I am bestowing the Presidential Citizens Medal, one of our nation’s highest civilian honors,” Biden said. “It recognizes, quote, ‘citizens of the United States of America who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.’ End of quote.”
The 14 people honored were: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers (R), USCP officer Harry Dunn, USCP Caroline Edwards, former MPD officer Michael Fanone, GA Election worker Ruby Freeman, former USCP Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, USCP officer Eugene Goodman, MPD officer Daniel Hodgens, GA Election worker Shaye Moss, former Philadelphia, PA, City Commissioner Al Schmidt, USCP Brian Sicknick (posthumous), USCP officer Howard Liebengood (posthumous) and MPD officer Jeffrey Smith (posthumous).
Liebengood died from suicide and his wife, Dr. Serena Liebengood, accepted the award on her husband’s behalf. Sicknick died after the attack from natural causes. His parents received the award on his behalf. Smith died from suicide about nine days after the attack. His wife, Erin, accepted the award on his behalf.
“…history will remember your names,” he said. “They’ll remember your courage. They’ll remember your bravery. They’ll remember your extraordinary commitments to your fellow Americans. That’s not hyperbole; that’s a fact. That’s a fact. And, folks, history is also going to remember your instincts to respond to do something, as you did — and as we all watched.”
Watch the full ceremony below.
