President Donald Trump has by no means served within the U.S. armed forces, however he reportedly desires to offer himself the nation’s highest navy honor anyway.
The Wall Road Journal reported over the weekend that Trump has “mused” about awarding himself the Medal of Honor.
The medal is bestowed by the president on service members who, in response to the official standards, “distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity, risking lack of life above and past the decision of responsibility” in certainly one of three circumstances.
These are partaking in navy motion towards a U.S. enemy, in navy operations with an opposing international power, or whereas serving with pleasant international forces in an armed battle.
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It’s not obvious how or why Trump thinks he might qualify, provided that he has by no means served within the navy. Throughout the Vietnam Conflict, Trump acquired 4 deferments for faculty and one for bone spurs in his heels.
He later instructed radio host Howard Stern that avoiding sexually transmitted illnesses was “my private Vietnam.”
Trump, as president, is commander-in-chief of the armed forces ― however that’s a civilian place.
That hasn’t stopped him from wishing for the medal.
In February, he mentioned he wished a medal for his 2018 journey to Iraq throughout his earlier time period in workplace.
“I flew to Iraq. I used to be extraordinarily courageous. So courageous I wished to offer myself the Congressional Medal of Honor,” he mentioned, including that he requested his “folks” if he was allowed to take action. “Sometime I’m gonna attempt. I’m gonna take a look at the regulation.”
He made related feedback throughout his State of the Union handle later that month.
“I’ve all the time wished the Congressional Medal of Honor, however I used to be knowledgeable I’m not allowed to offer it to myself, and I wouldn’t know why I’d be taking it,” Trump mentioned. “But when they ever open up that regulation, I might be there with you sometime.”
It’s unclear if he’ll attempt to give himself the medal.
However since returning to the workplace final yr, he’s racked up numerous “honors” and “awards,” at the very least a few of which seem to have been made only for him.
In February, the Washington Coal Membership awarded the president a trophy declaring him the “Undisputed Champion of Stunning Clear Coal” at a White Home ceremony.
STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH through Getty Pictures
Final yr, he was given the primary ― and solely ― FIFA Peace Prize by the governing physique for soccer.
Trump has additionally publicly obsessed over and brazenly sulked about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. He lastly obtained one, however solely type of: Venezuelan opposition chief María Corina Machado, who received final yr, gave Trump her medal.
Right here’s a working record of the awards and honors Trump has been given.