By Meg KinnardThe Related Press
President Donald Trump stated Sept. 20 that he’ll award Ben Carson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, the third such award he’s introduced this month.
“Congratulations, Ben. He didn’t know this,” Trump stated in a speech throughout an occasion at Mount Vernon for American Cornerstone Institute, based by Carson. “He didn’t understand it. I hope he’s completely satisfied.”
A former neurosurgeon who ran towards Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, Carson, 74, went on to function Housing and City Growth secretary throughout Trump’s first administration.
The one-time rivals developed a powerful bond, and Carson — seen at one level as among the many prime contenders for Trump’s working mate within the 2024 marketing campaign — served as Trump’s nationwide religion chairman throughout final 12 months’s race.
A staunch social conservative who has opposed abortion rights and same-sex marriage, Carson has turn into a well-liked conservative speaker and writer.
The Medal of Freedom, established in 1963, is awarded to people who’ve made particularly meritorious contributions to the safety or nationwide pursuits of america, world peace, or cultural or different vital public endeavors.
Trump bestowed the honour on 24 folks throughout his first time period and has already introduced two different recipients since his return to the White Home. Trump talked about no date for giving the honour to Carson, however different honorees are already within the pipeline.
Earlier this month, Trump stated he would bestow the award on former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, two days after his longtime political ally was severely injured in a automobile crash.
Throughout a Sept. 11 commemoration occasion on the Pentagon, Trump introduced that he would posthumously give the award to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated earlier this month and whose memorial service Trump attended Sept. 22 in Arizona.
