Trump to award Giuliani medal of freedom despite legal troubles
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Donald Trump announced he will award Rudy Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom despite his ongoing legal troubles, just days after Giuliani was seriously injured in a New Hampshire car crash.
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Rudy Giuliani speaks after leaving federal court in Washington, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
US President Donald Trump announced Monday that he will award Rudy Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom, just two days after the former New York City mayor and longtime ally was seriously injured in a car crash in New Hampshire.
On his Truth Social account, Trump hailed Giuliani as the "greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, and an equally great American Patriot." The medal, created by executive order in 1963, is the nation's highest civilian honor and is given at the president's discretion to those who have made "especially meritorious" contributions to national interests, public service, or cultural life.
Trump has previously used the award to recognize close political allies, including Devin Nunes and Jim Jordan.
Controversial honor
Giuliani, 81, rose to prominence for leading New York through the aftermath of the 9/11 events and later ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination. His later career, however, has been defined by his role as Trump's personal lawyer during the 2020 election.
Courts repeatedly rejected the fraud claims he advanced, and he was disbarred in both New York and Washington, DC, in 2024 for spreading election misinformation. That same year, two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, secured a $148 million defamation judgment against him; court filings show Giuliani has since satisfied the ruling.
The former mayor also faces ongoing criminal cases. He was indicted in Arizona for involvement in the fake electors scheme and remains a defendant in Georgia's election racketeering case, though some counts against him were dismissed earlier this year. Giuliani denies any wrongdoing.
Injured Honoree
The weekend crash added another chapter to his tumultuous public life. State police said the rented Ford Bronco he was riding in, driven by his spokesperson Ted Goodman, was struck from behind by another vehicle. Giuliani suffered a fractured thoracic vertebra along with injuries to his arm and leg.
His security chief, Michael Ragusa, said Monday he is expected to be released from the hospital soon. Authorities stressed the collision was not targeted and remains under investigation.
The White House has not released details on when or where the medal ceremony will take place.
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