Man Photographed with Would-Be Trump Assassin Ryan Routh Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom From Joe Biden (VIDEO)

President Joe Biden faced strong criticism on Saturday after awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to several high-profile individuals, including Hillary Clinton and George Soros. This medal, the country’s highest civilian honor, is meant to recognize outstanding contributions to the nation. However, many Americans feel that some of the recipients are not deserving of this award.

Among the honorees were Bill Nye, known as “The Science Guy,” actor Denzel Washington, fashion editor Anna Wintour, and Chef José Andrés. Chef Andrés was recognized for his humanitarian work with World Central Kitchen, which provides food and relief to people affected by disasters and conflicts worldwide. Biden praised Andrés as a “renowned culinary innovator,” but the choice upset critics due to a controversial connection.

Andrés had previously been photographed with Ryan Routh, a man now facing federal charges for attempting to assassinate Donald Trump. Routh allegedly tried to carry out the attack near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course. Federal agents arrested Routh after finding evidence of a planned sniper attack. They discovered a rifle with a scope, a GoPro camera, food supplies, and backpacks containing materials believed to be body armor.

Court documents show that Routh had been near Trump’s properties several times in the weeks before his arrest. He also has a history of criminal activity and was charged with federal gun crimes, including possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and owning a gun with an obliterated serial number. These charges carry heavy penalties of up to 20 years in prison. Despite the evidence, Routh has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The decision to honor Clinton, Soros, and others has angered Biden’s critics. Many see this as an insult to conservatives and Trump supporters, especially because of the connection between Andrés and Routh. They argue that these awards are meant to celebrate truly deserving individuals who have served the nation selflessly, not those who represent controversial political agendas.

Supporters of Biden, however, defend the awards. They point out the significant contributions made by the recipients in areas like justice, equality, and humanitarian aid. For them, these honors reflect the administration’s priorities of recognizing people who work to improve society. But for opponents, this move feels like a deliberate challenge to conservative values, further deepening the political divide in the country.