Key facts
- President Donald Trump announced he will award Roger Clemens the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- Roger Clemens is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Clemens has been accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, which he denies.
- Clemens was acquitted of charges of lying to Congress about drug use.
- The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor awarded by the US president.
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he would award former baseball pitcher Roger Clemens the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the president.
Clemens, a friend of Trump who has golfed with the president, is considered one of the greatest pitchers in Major League Baseball history. However, his Hall of Fame candidacy has been impacted by suspected use of performance-enhancing drugs, allegations he denies. Clemens was acquitted at trial on charges of lying to Congress about the subject.
The announcement was made by Trump during a political rally in Texas, where Clemens, who played college and professional baseball in the state, had earlier introduced the president. Trump questioned why Clemens had been denied a baseball honor and stated he would compensate him with the medal.
Clemens expressed surprise and said he would want to receive the award from Trump. The president has broad discretion in awarding the medal, with no formal nomination process or fixed ceremony.