I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor
The promise
Trump announced during the State of the Union that he intended to award Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The American goaltender had helped the men's hockey team win Olympic gold, and the team was present at the address. Trump described asking the players to vote on the recognition and joked about the greater importance of his own vote. Supporters could view the award as recognition of an exceptional sporting performance that brought national pride. Critics could question whether a major civilian honor should be promised during a political address or allocated through an informal team vote. The statement committed to a future presentation rather than establishing that the medal had already been conferred.
