 President Obama presenting the Citizens Medal of Freedom - the nation's second highest civilian honor - in the East Room of the White House in October 2011.
April 26th, 2012
05:02 PM ET
White House announces 2012 Medal of Freedom recipients The White House announced 13 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday. Along with previously announced recipients Madeleine Albright and Pat Summitt, the recipients or their representatives will be invited to the White House in late spring to receive the nation’s highest civilian honor. Three of this year's recipients will be awarded the medal posthumously. In a statement, the White House said that the Medal of Freedom is “presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” President Obama said in the statement, “These extraordinary honorees come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, but each of them has made a lasting contribution to the life of our Nation. They’ve challenged us, they’ve inspired us, and they’ve made the world a better place. I look forward to recognizing them with this award.” Here is a list of this year’s recipients and some of the information released by White House on why they were selected:  (PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images)
April 26th, 2012
11:59 AM ET
Madeleine Albright to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom A senior administration official confirms the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. A White House release described the Presidential Medal of freedom as an honor presented to individuals "who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." The White House had previously announced former University of Tennesee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt and former Polish Underground officer Jan Karski, who was one of the first people to provide accounts of the Holocaust to the outside world, will also receive honor. A ceremony honoring them will take place sometime later this year at the White House.
April 26th, 2012
11:23 AM ET
Government official acknowledges past Secret Service misconduct WASHINGTON (CNN) –With more reports surfacing of misconduct by Secret Service personnel and other federal law enforcement officers during overseas trips, a U.S. government official familiar with the Secret Service acknowledged missteps by Secret Service agents in the past, but was quick to defend the government’s internal review process. “We have had employees that have engaged in misconduct” the official told CNN. “People make mistakes.” The government official noted that’s to be expected given that the Secret Service has been around for 147 years. Citing a privacy policy against discussing specifics the official said the Secret Service Office of Professional Responsibility dealt with those matters. The official was quick to point out that the latest allegations of misconduct in advance of President Obama’s trip to El Salvador last year are not limited to the Secret Service. In fact, Seattle TV station KIRO, a CNN affiliate, cited an unnamed U.S. government contractor who worked extensively with the Secret Service advance team in San Salvador prior to President Barack Obama's trip there in March, 2011. The source said he was with about a dozen Secret Service agents and a few U.S. military specialists at a strip club in the city a few days before Obama arrived, KIRO reported. CNN cannot independently confirm the allegations.  (PHOTO CREDIT) Kevin Liptak, CNN
April 26th, 2012
11:03 AM ET
Secret Service responds to more allegations of misconductResponding to reports from Seattle’s KIRO TV of additional allegations of misconduct by Secret Service agents in the past…
April 26th, 2012
07:19 AM ET
Morning BriefingThe 1600 Report's daily roundup of what the White House is reading this morning online and in the papers: Republicans request investigation of Obama travel (CNN.com) Israeli military chief: Iran will not build bomb (WashPost.com) TSA screeners accused in drug scheme (CNN.com) Justices seem sympathetic to central part of Arizona law (NYTIMES.com) Education slowdown threatens U.S. (WSJ.com) Analysis: As Europe goes, so goes Obama (CNN.com) 
April 26th, 2012
07:07 AM ET
The president's schedule Thursday April 26, 2012PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SCHEDULE: 9:30AM Pool Call Time 10:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing/ Oval Office/ Closed Press 4:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with THE VICE PRESIDENT/ Oval Office/ Closed Press BRIEFING SCHEDULE: 12:30PM Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney. |
  |
||
|
|
||
