Donald Trump made light of the idea of receiving the nation’s highest military decoration himself, drawing attention after referencing the Medal of Honor in separate speeches.
Donald Trump jokes about wanting Medal of Honor
President Donald Trump joked about awarding himself the Medal of Honor while speaking at separate events, according to CNBC and The Hill. The Medal of Honor is the highest U.S. military honor. “I’ve always wanted the Congressional Medal of Honor, but I was informed I’m not allowed to give it to myself,” Trump said, according to ABC News. “And I wouldn’t know why I would be taking it. If they ever open up that law, I will be with you someday.”
Trump presented retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams and Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover with the Medal of Honor during his speech. Trump did not serve in the military. During a rally in Rome, Georgia, he referenced a 2018 visit to Iraq during his first term in office.
“I decided to go to Iraq. I was extremely brave. So brave in fact that I wanted to give myself the Congressional Medal of Honor,” Trump said, according to The Hill. “I said to my people, am I allowed to give myself the Congressional Medal of Honor? And you know, I’ve given out so many to guys that are seriously brave. I mean, they come in and their arms are missing, their legs are missing. Their stories are so unbelievable. And I said that’s a little stretch if I gave myself one.”
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump made a surprise visit to U.S. troops at Al Asad Air Force Base on Dec. 26, 2018, during his first term. Nearly a year later, he visited U.S. troops in Afghanistan. He joined former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush in visiting Iraq and Afghanistan during their presidencies.
“Someday I’m going to try. I’m going to test the law,” he said, according to The Hill. “Maybe I’ll win in court after everyone sues me.”
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
