Why It Matters

The process of choosing Presidential Medal of Freedom awards over the decades was reviewed in a CRS report updated on September 11. The medal, often presented to recognize lifetime achievements in the arts, public service, science, or other fields, operates without formal nomination or selection procedures, leaving the President with broad discretion over who receives this honor.

The CRS data shows stark differences in award frequency across administrations, with President Barack Obama presenting 118 medals and President Donald Trump presenting 26. The report identifies 56 instances where the medal was awarded with the more prestigious "with distinction" designation, though it cautions this count may not be comprehensive. For Congress, the report underscores the limits of legislative influence over an executive prerogative that offers no formal avenue for input or appeal.

The Big Picture

President Harry Truman created the Medal of Freedom in 1945 to honor civilians who performed meritorious wartime acts or services aiding the United States or its allies when another decoration seemed inappropriate. Truman expanded eligibility during the Korean War to include actions during any period of national emergency, and the medal was awarded thousands of times before 1963, mostly by federal officials other than the President. President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 11085 in 1963, renaming the Medal of Freedom as the Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Kennedy announced the first slate of 31 honorees on July 4, 1963.

An academic analysis of recipients through 2013 found that political and public service accounted for about 27 percent of honorees, while art, acting, and music made up about 15 percent, and academia and science represented about 14 percent.

The Bottom Line

There is no formal procedure for nominating and selecting recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Wide variation in award frequency across administrations, ranging from 26 medals under Trump to 118 under Obama, suggests the honor's meaning may shift significantly depending on which president occupies the office. Congressional efforts to influence recipients through nominations and resolutions have persisted for decades, yet the report provides no evidence that these efforts carry formal weight.

In recent years, some Members have asked the President to revoke a previously awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, and President Barack H. Obama said in 2015 there was "no precedent for revoking the medal." The CRS dataset documents recipients through September 2026, including posthumous honors and medals announced years before presentation, but does not establish that its count is exhaustive.

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