(Photo / Zach Gibson)
President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Cecile Richards Wednesday, the former president of Planned Parenthood.
Biden praised Richards for her “courage” and fearlessness in leading America towards being “a nation of freedom” in an X post. Richards oversaw at least 3.8 million abortions during her 12 years as Planned Parenthood’s president, according to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which analyzed several of the organization’s annual reports.
Today, I had the honor of awarding Cecile Richards the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
With absolute courage, she fearlessly leads us forward to be the America we say we are – a nation of freedom.
Through her work to lift up the dignity of workers, defend and advance women’s… pic.twitter.com/IayCTAFK4N
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 20, 2024
Richards stepped down from her position as head of the organization in 2018 after a federal investigation revealed Planned Parenthood was allegedly illegally harvesting and selling parts from aborted babies. Earlier this year, Richards announced that she has been battling the same form of brain cancer that killed Biden’s son in 2015, according to abc News.
The former Planned Parenthood president previously urged women “to be bold” in announcing their abortions and to encourage other women to do the same.
Biden’s commitment to his Catholic faith has come into question due to his open support for abortion, especially after a priest denied him Holy Communion in 2019 over his promotion of abortion as a public official. The Biden administration has reportedly spent just under $45,000 in taxpayer dollars between June and December of 2023 on travel expenses for military members to receive abortions.
Biden has also been accused of weaponizing the FBI against Catholics and pro-life advocates, labeling them as “potential domestic terrorists,” according to the House Weaponization Subcommittee.
