For instance, Democratic presidents are more likely to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to civil rights leaders, labor organizers and people of color. Not surprisingly, these awards usually go to a president’s political allies. Orrin Hatch and former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Obama awarded his last Presidential Medal of Freedom to his vice president Joe Biden. Obama honors his Vice President Joe Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2017.
For instance, presidents from both parties often pick politicians and public servants. Much of it depends on whether the president is a Democrat or a Republican, but this isn’t always the case. In fact, Obama holds the record for awarding the most medals in total: 115. In 2016, he awarded 20 medals to recipients including athletes like Michael Jordan and entertainers like Bruce Springsteen. President Barack Obama has since raised the bar. This changed when President Ronald Reagan – a media-savvy, former Hollywood actor – began hosting large ceremonies designed to maximize public attention.
Before 1981, Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremonies were sporadic, and recognized only about five recipients at a time. Our research shows that the politicization of the medal has increased over time. But presidents often use the award for political purposes – to gain positive media attention, shape their legacy or reward their supporters. Kennedy, in 1963, to recognize “any person who has made an 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.”Īs a unilateral power of the executive branch, presidents have broad discretion to choose recipients. The award was established by President John F. What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?