President bestows nation's highest civilian award on Edwin Meese III

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump awarded Edwin Meese III the Presidential Medal of Freedom Tuesday for his distinguished leadership and legal guidance as attorney general under President Ronald Reagan and decades of continued leadership in promoting the original meaning of the U.S. Constitution.

The Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor that the president awards to citizens who make an “especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

“Anyone privileged to know Ed Meese can confirm he’s a man marked by remarkable humility, cheerful conviction, and authentic honor,” said Alliance Defending Freedom President, CEO, and General Counsel Michael Farris. “Throughout the years, Ed has protected individuals from improper government intrusions, defended the civil rights of all Americans, and promoted a regulatory structure designed to protect and encourage economic freedom. ADF owes special gratitude to Ed for his gracious and vigorous deference to the text and original intention of our Constitution. While the great debate over the meaning of our Constitution continues, Ed’s bold leadership continues to motivate our work to preserve and protect liberty for future generations.”

“There is no greater living American than Edwin Meese,” said ADF Founder Alan Sears. “He is completely selfless; totally devoted to faith, family, and friends; and has spent his life fighting to preserve liberty and the Constitution.”

Meese served Reagan for over 30 years, including his role as 75th attorney general from February 1985 to August 1988. For over a quarter of a century since then, Meese has worked at The Heritage Foundation, where he has championed the nation’s founding principles and continued Reagan’s legacy of conservative leadership.