President Barack Obama shocked an emotional Joe Biden today when he awarded him America’s highest civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Biden has served as Vice President for the entire eight years of Obama’s administration, and will be stepping down from the role when Donald Trump takes office on January 20.
Obama, who called Biden his “brother” clearly surprised his colleague who could not hold back the tears when he realised what was happening.
This is for your “faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country and a lifetime of service” the President told him, adding that he has been the “best possible choice, not just for me, but for the American people”.
The award is so rare, it has only been given three times by the last three presidents combined, and Biden insisted he had no idea it was coming.
“I had no inkling. I thought we were coming over to Michelle for you, Jill and Barack and I and a couple of senior staff to toast one another and say what an incredible journey it’s been,” he said.
“Mr President, you got right the part about my leaning on Jill but I’ve also leaned on you and a lot of people in this room.
“I don’t deserve this but I know it came from the President’s heart,” he added.
Watch the emotional moment here:
VP Joe Biden barely held it together as Obama surprised him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom pic.twitter.com/V0rGgKiINY
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) January 12, 2017
