A group of House Republicans has launched a resolution to award former President Donald Trump the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal. This initiative, spearheaded by Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, aims to honor Trump for his “exceptional leadership and dedication to strengthening America’s diplomatic relations during his presidency.”
Rep. Luna, supported by seven fellow Republicans including GOP Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (Pa.) and Reps. Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Andy Ogles (Tenn.), Randy Weber (Texas), Bob Good (Va.), Mary Miller (Ill.), and Mike Waltz (Fla.), introduced the resolution on Tuesday. Despite Trump’s current legal battles and controversial White House tenure, Luna asserts that his presidency deserves recognition. “It is time we recognize a president who put our country first and secured global peace through bold diplomacy,” Luna stated. “Despite the liberal media’s attempts to spread fear, America and the world were undoubtedly safer under President Donald Trump.”
The resolution highlights Trump’s foreign policy achievements, harping on the notion that no new wars were initiated during his time in office. This sentiment is echoed by House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, who initially supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis before backing Trump after DeSantis exited the race. “President Trump did more in four years on behalf of the American people than any president in my lifetime. He secured our border, achieved historic peace in the Middle East, and implemented policies that helped our economy prosper,” Good remarked.
The push for this high honor underscores Trump’s grip on the GOP. Despite the criminal charges he faces related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election campaign, Trump’s supporters in Congress remain steadfast. Andy Ogles praised Trump’s “stalwart defense of the American way of life,” and Randy Weber asserted, “every patriotic American knows our country was unequivocally better off four years ago under his stewardship.”
While the resolution may pass in the Republican-led House, its prospects in the Democratic-majority Senate appear slim. Nonetheless, this initiative vividly illustrates the ongoing divide in American politics as well as within the Republican party, driven by the persistent loyalty Trump demands. Without the Senate blocking the accolade, the name of Trump would join an illustrious group of recipients, including Neil Armstrong, Mother Teresa, and Rosa Parks; for the faux real estate mogul who made it his life’s work to plaster his brand wherever he could, it would be the ultimate victory
