President Donald Trump has awarded Ohio Republican Jim Jordan the presidential medal of freedom, the highest US civilian honor, after he continued to object to the certification of the 2020 elections following a violent pro-Trump mob attack on the Capitol.
The congressman was awarded the medal during a closed-door ceremony at the White House on Monday. Members of the press were not invited to document the event.
Mr Jordan has been one of the president’s strongest allies on Capitol Hill, continuing to object to his electoral defeat last week as other Republicans who previously contested the results withdrew their support as a result of the deadly riots.
His objections to the vote certification failed and President-elect Joe Biden was eventually confirmed as the victor against Mr Trump on Wednesday night, as well as the next commander-in-chief.
The president later had his accounts across social media platforms suspended, as bipartisan calls grew for him to be removed from office due to his conduct during the attacks on Congress.
Mr Jordan, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, was one of eight House lawmakers who were part of Mr Trump's defense team in his Senate impeachment trial last year.
He's been one of the more outspoken defenders of the president as he faced the prospect of being impeached for a second time in his final days of office because of his role in inciting a mob assault on the Capitol last week.
The White House in a statement noted Mr Jordan "led the effort to confront the impeachment witch hunt" last year.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established by President John F Kennedy, is meant to recognize those who have made an "especially meritorious contribution" to national security, world peace or "cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
Last week, Mr Trump awarded the Medal of Freedom to another Republican ally, Republican Devin Nunes of California, in a private ceremony.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on why it was holding the ceremony without the media present.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
