In conjunction with the nonprofit Promoting Awareness | Victim Empowerment (PAVE), Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar will announce legislation Thursday that would give the President authority to strip Bill Cosby of his Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Cosby was awarded the Medal of Freedom — the U.S.’s highest civilian honor — in 2002 by President George W. Bush; that was right around the time he met Andrea Constand, the woman he’s charged with sexually assaulting two years later in 2004.
During a recent East Room press conference, President Obama was asked about Cosby’s Medal of Freedom and whether he’d revoke it now that more than 50 women have stepped forward to accuse Cosby of rape or sexual assault.
“There’s no precedent for revoking a medal. We don’t have that mechanism,” the president said.
This bill, to be proposed Thursday, would give the president that authority.
“The Medal of Freedom is a symbol of excellence and the highest honor any President can bestow on a civilian,” PAVE’s Executive Director Angela Rose said in a statement. “Bill Cosby does not deserve this singular accolade. Allowing him to keep it sends a chilling message about our nation’s tolerance for sexual violence.”
In December, Cosby was released on $1 million bail after being charged with aggravated indecent assault for the alleged sexual assault in 2004 of Andrea Constand, at the time an employee of Temple University where, until very recently, Cosby sat on the Board of Trustees. They are the first criminal charges Cosby has faced after years of similar allegations from former acquaintances. Cosby has always maintained his innocence.
If convicted, Cosby could face up to 10 years in prison.
