President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a controversial move to award himself the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States, despite having no record of military service.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the president has privately “mused” about whether he could test the law to grant himself the honor, which is traditionally reserved for service members who demonstrate exceptional bravery in combat.
Trump’s Comments on the Medal
Trump first spoke publicly about the idea in February. He described his 2018 trip to Iraq as president and said he considered giving himself the medal for it.
“I flew to Iraq. I was extremely brave. So brave I wanted to give myself the Congressional Medal of Honor,” he said. He added that he asked his staff whether he could do it. “Someday I’m gonna try. I’m gonna test the law.”
He repeated the thought later that month during his State of the Union address.
“I’ve always wanted the Congressional Medal of Honor, but I was informed I’m not allowed to give it to myself, and I wouldn’t know why I’d be taking it,” Trump said. “But if they ever open up that law, I will be there with you someday.”
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The president has not said what steps, if any, he plans to take. It is not clear if he will move forward with any action to award the medal to himself.
Trump’s Military Background
The Medal of Honour is given by the president to members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
The criteria require action in combat against an enemy of the United States, in military operations with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces during armed conflict.
Trump received five deferments from the Vietnam War draft. Four were for college studies and one was for bone spurs in his heels. He told radio host Howard Stern that avoiding sexually transmitted diseases was “my personal Vietnam.”
As president, Trump serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. This is a civilian position and does not involve military service.
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Other Honors Trump Has Received
Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has received several awards. In February the Washington Coal Club gave him a trophy at a White House ceremony that named him the “Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal.”
Last year the governing body for soccer awarded him the first and only FIFA Peace Prize. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, handed her medal to Trump.
The Medal of Honor has been awarded only to people who served in the military and met the strict combat criteria. Trump has not served.
