Sports
President Trump To Award Bill Belichick Medal Of Freedom: Report
The president plans to give his friend the award this week as he faces calls for impeachment following the deadly riots at the U.S. Capitol.
President Donald Trump plans to award longtime friend and New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick the Presidential Medal of Freedom this week.
The Medal of Freedom is the country's highest civilian honor. Politico, which first reported the story Sunday night, said Trump plans to give Belichick the award Thursday.
The Patriots did not immediately respond to Politico's request for comment.
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It's not unusual for presidents to give the award to athletes and celebrities.
What is unusual is for presidents to award it as they face potential impeachment. House Democrats have said they may push for impeachment proceedings this week, claiming Trump had role in inciting the deadly riots at the U.S. Capitol.
Find out what's happening in Foxboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Trump has had a unique relationship to the Patriots throughout his campaign and presidency. Belichick wrote a fawning letter to his friend that then-candidate Trump read at an election eve rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 2016.
"Donald, Congratulations on a tremendous campaign!! You have dealt with an unbelievably slanted & negative media & have come out of it beautifully," the letter read. "You have proved to be the ultimate competitor and fighter!! Your leadership is amazing!!"
The Patriots have been invited to the White House twice following Super Bowl titles, with some players opting out in 2017 and the team skipping the 2019 trip altogether.
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