Biden’s Medal of Freedom recipients include Simone Biles, Steve Jobs | USA TODAY

The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award a civilian can receive, was given to 17 people this year.

RELATED: Simone Biles youngest person to receive Medal of Freedom

President Joe Biden presented the Medal of Freedom – the nation’s highest honor – to 17 people Thursday, including actor Denzel Washington, gymnast Simone Biles and former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

The president also presented the award posthumously to Sen. John McCain, Apple founder Steve Jobs and Richard Trumka, who was president of the AFL-CIO.

In a ceremony in the White House East Room, Biden called the recipients "extraordinary Americans."

"This is America," he said, pointing to the recipients seated behind him on the stage.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was established under former President John F. Kennedy, is one of the highest awards a civilian can receive.

Biden received the award in January 2017 from former President Barack Obama – one week before the two left office. He was presented the award for his public service as a U.S. senator and vice president.

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25 comments

  1. Ain’t worth the iron it was made with there is no honor dignity honestly respect or nothing dealing with this country

  2. *WHAT VIEW DO YOU WANT CHINA JOE TO HAVE*
    He was against a Black Woman on the Supreme Court, For Guns, against abortion, for the Wars, for segregation in the 70’s saying he did not want his children going to school that’s a jungle he even went back and forth on all those views – like so many other Politically Expedient opinions –
    *Show him the money and he’ll change is view* fjb s dls fgb

  3. wtf does any of them do? Over priced phones, all talk no action crap? What a silly day for Americans.

  4. Jobs I can see, but Biles? She got her Olympic medals . That’s all she deserves or has earned.

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