Biden awards Medal of Freedom to 17 at White House

President Joe Biden presented the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to 17 people, including gymnast Simone Biles, former Arizona Rep.

Gabrielle Giffords and the late John McCain, the Arizona Republican with whom Biden served in the U.S. Senate.

Biden’s honors list includes both living and deceased honorees from the worlds of Hollywood, including actor Denzel Washington, sports, politics, the military, academia, and civil rights and social justice advocacy.

The honor is reserved for people who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal public or private endeavors, the White House said.