President Donald Trump has never served in the U.S. armed forces, but he reportedly wants to give himself the nation’s highest military honor anyway.
The Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend that Trump has “mused” about awarding himself the Medal of Honor.
The medal is bestowed by the president on service members who, according to the official criteria, “distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity, risking loss of life above and beyond the call of duty” in one of three circumstances.
Those are engaging in military action against a U.S. enemy, in military operations with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces in an armed conflict.
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It’s not apparent how or why Trump thinks he may qualify, given that he has never served in the military. During the Vietnam War, Trump received four deferments for college and one for bone spurs in his heels.
He later told radio host Howard Stern that avoiding sexually transmitted diseases was “my personal Vietnam.”
Trump, as president, is commander-in-chief of the armed forces ― but that’s a civilian position.
That hasn’t stopped him from wishing for the medal.
In February, he said he wanted a medal for his 2018 trip to Iraq during his previous term in office.
“I flew to Iraq. I was extremely brave. So brave I wanted to give myself the Congressional Medal of Honor,” he said, adding that he asked his “people” if he was allowed to do so. “Someday I’m gonna try. I’m gonna test the law.”
He made similar comments during his State of the Union address later that month.
“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.”
It’s unclear if he’ll try to give himself the medal.
But since returning to the office last year, he’s racked up a number of “honors” and “awards,” at least some of which appear to have been made just for him.
In February, the Washington Coal Club awarded the president a trophy declaring him the “Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal” at a White House ceremony.
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Last year, he was given the first ― and only ― FIFA Peace Prize by the governing body for soccer.
Trump has also publicly obsessed over and openly sulked about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. He finally got one, but only sort of: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who won last year, gave Trump her medal.
Here’s a running list of the awards and honors Trump has been given.
