President Biden’s recent move to award the prestigious Medal of Freedom to progressive megadonor George Soros has sparked criticism both on social media and from one crime expert who spoke to Fox News Digital.
‘President Biden’s decision to award George Soros the Medal of Freedom is a slap in the face to the citizens and crime victims suffering under the policies and politicians he has promoted,’ Zack Smith, Heritage Foundation legal fellow and co-author of ‘Rogue Prosecutors: How Radical Soros Lawyers Are Destroying America’s Communities,’ told Fox News Digital after a weekend ceremony awarding the Medal of Freedom to Soros, via his son Alex, who has taken over the family’s $25 billion empire.
‘Soros has been a major donor to far-left politicians and has promoted policies that undermine the rule of law in our country. Given Biden’s embrace of these policies and the funding Soros has provided, this looks like nothing more than an effort to reward and keep happy one of the Left’s major donors (and his family). It cheapens what should be a prestigious award and gives everyday Americans yet another reason to be disgusted by the current Administration’s actions.’
The award, the nation’s highest civilian honor, is given to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors, the White House said in a statement.
Soros, a mega-Democrat donor, runs a web of non-profits that bankroll various candidates around the world who align with his progressive agenda, including his Open Society Foundations. Soros has given over $32 billion to Open Society Foundations since 1984, according to its website.
The White House said that Soros’ philanthropy across the world has strengthened democracy, human rights, education and social justice.
Conservatives on social media disagreed and made the case that giving the medal to Soros sent the wrong message given the alleged effects Soros-backed policies have had on crime.
‘Police officers deserve the Medal of Freedom for dealing with violent criminals set free by Soros prosecutors,’ GOP Sen. Tom Cotton posted on X.
‘George Soros is responsible for the breakdown of American society,’ conservative lawyer Marina Medvin posted on X. ‘His goal is the destruction of the West. He supports illegal immigrants, Antifa, Palestinian terror enthusiasts, campus disrupters, etc. Of course this is all wonderful in Biden’s world. So he’s giving Soros the highest civilian honor.’
‘A travesty that Biden is giving Soros the Medal of Freedom,’ Tesla and Space X CEO Elon Musk posted on X.
‘A clear sign Joe Biden lost his mind or he’s not in control, for awarding George Soros a Presidential Medal of Freedom,’ political commentator Richie Greenberg, who led the effort to recall Soros-backed San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin from office, posted on X.
‘Few have risen to the level of criminal justice arch-nemesis as Soros has. This is a slap to countless victims of crime enabled by Soros DAs. Truly disgusting.’
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and Open Society Foundations but did not receive a response.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was also awarded the Medal of Freedom on Saturday, prompting similar outrage from conservatives.
Clinton, the White House said, made ‘history many times over decades in public service,’ becoming the first female senator from New York and the first first lady to hold elected office.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report