The latest episode of Pod Save America offered a rare glimpse into the tangled web of Democratic Party loyalties, as the hosts—a trio of Obama-era veterans—aired their grievances about President Joe Biden’s recent award selections.
In typical fashion, the conversation was laced with humor, but the underlying critique highlighted deeper frustrations with the Biden administration’s decisions, particularly when it comes to honoring public figures.
At the heart of their ire was Biden’s decision to award the Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation’s second-highest civilian honor, to former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY). The choice was already controversial, with some resistance-aligned Twitter factions questioning the need to honor Cheney at all.
For the Pod Save America hosts, however, the real sticking point seemed to be Biden’s failure to reciprocate the gesture Obama extended to him in 2017: awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Jon Favreau didn’t hold back, quipping that Cheney “could use a pardon more than the medal,” a reference to ongoing speculation about Trump’s potential retribution against his critics. Meanwhile, Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor lamented the lack of consistency in how these honors are bestowed. Their broader complaint? The awards process, they argued, lacks transparency and objectivity, leaving room for decisions that feel more political than principled.
Adding fuel to the fire was the decision to award the Medal of Freedom to billionaire George Soros, a figure often vilified by conservatives and lionized by the left. While the hosts were unanimous in their support of Soros receiving the honor—Lovett even calling it “well-earned”—their praise didn’t extend to the broader process.
Vietor described it as a system that “doesn’t make any sense,” pointing out the inclusion of both living and deceased recipients, foreign nationals, and the unexplained “with distinction” designation.
The snark turned sharper when Lovett hinted at the rumored behind-the-scenes efforts, allegedly spearheaded by Obama allies, to nudge Biden out of the 2024 presidential race. “I guess they’re not really on speaking terms after all that’s happened,” he joked, underscoring the apparent tension between the two Democratic leaders.
All three agreed on one thing: the need for a more structured and objective process for awarding these honors. They proposed an independent body to handle nominations, ensuring the awards remain prestigious and free from the whims of political calculations.