![Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, prepares to evacuate the floor as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. [J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/758933d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4706x3137+0+0/resize/840x560!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fimages%2Fnews%2Fnpr%2F2021%2F01%2F955697657_294735738.jpg)
President Donald Trump has awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), one of the outgoing president’s fiercest GOP allies.
The highest civilian honor was presented to Jordan, who has represented Ohio's 4th District since 2007, in a private ceremony Monday at the White House.
"He is an inspiration to freedom-loving Americans everywhere and has distinguished himself as one of the most consequential members of Congress of his generation," a White House press release reads.
Jordan is the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, and was one of eight House lawmakers who were part of Trump’s defense team in Trump's Senate impeachment trial last year.
Jordan was also one of five Ohio Republican congressmen who voted to overturn the recent election results,objecting to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victories even after the U.S. Capitol was besieged by pro-Trump extremists.
News of Jordan's award comes as Trump spends his final weeks in office rewarding supporters with honors and the perks and prestige associated with serving on a host of federal advisory boards and commissions. Trump awarded the Medal of Freedom to Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), another staunch supporter who defended the president during the Russia investigation, last week
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