Biden to award Medal of Freedom to Simone Biles, John McCain, and 15 others

Simone Biles
(Image credit: Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

The White House announced on Friday that President Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 17 people, some posthumously, reports The Associated Press.

The recipients include gymnast Simone Biles, former congressmember Gabby Giffords, Khizr Khan, soccer star Megan Rapinoe, actor Denzel Washington, and former Sen. Alan Simpson.

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Biden will also posthumously award Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, Sen. John McCain, and longtime AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka.

The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor. Biden will present the awards at the White House next week. Read more about each recipient at The Associated Press.

Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.