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As his waning presidency crumbles in the wake of the fatal Capitol riot that he incited, Donald Trump keeps giving out awards.
The embattled president plans to award New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick the Presidential Medal of Freedom this week, Politico reported Sunday.
Last week, just a day after pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol, the president held a White House ceremony to give golf greats Gary Player and Annika Sorenstam the highest civilian honor.
The Boston Globe also reported the president’s plan to honor Belichick, citing a White House official.
Trump, now facing a possible second impeachment amid cries for his resignation, will honor Belichick on Thursday, according to outlets.
Belichick has won six Super Bowls with the Patriots, but failed to make the playoffs this season without his quarterback of the previous 20 years, Tom Brady. (Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a wild-card playoff victory over Washington on Saturday.)
Trump and Belichick appear to be mutual admirers. Back in 2016, Trump read a letter from Belichick congratulating him on his “tremendous campaign.”
“You have dealt with an unbelievable slanted and negative media, and have come out beautifully ― beautifully,” Belichick wrote in a verified message. “You’ve proved to be the ultimate competitor and fighter. Your leadership is amazing.”
Brady said in April he has a friendship with Trump, but said he has avoided publicly expressing political allegiance to him.
Trump was also expected to award Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) the Medal of Freedom on Monday. Jordan has been one of the president’s most strident defenders.
The Patriots didn’t immediately return HuffPost’s request for comment.
Player and Sorenstam faced criticism last week for accepting the White House honor amid the fury at the president. Belichick also is being called out on social media.
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