Eisenhower Media Network Announces New “Profiles in Cowardice” Award

Highlighting American leaders who have been derelict in their duty, the public will vote for their favorite coward

Today, Eisenhower Media Network launched its new public campaign, the Profiles in Cowardice award. In homage to President John F. Kennedy’s Profiles in Courage, Profiles in Cowardice highlights the American leaders who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, only to sit silent amidst the country’s turn toward authoritarianism.

President Donald Trump and his administration have taken several actions that violate the Constitution and push our country further into authoritarianism. Some of these actions include: launching strikes on Iran without Congressional approval; the illegal kidnapping, detention, and removal of U.S. residents; expanding military use domestically; planning the forced removal of Palestinians from Gaza; targeting those who are perceived as adversaries, including independent media, universities and law firms; and more. Meanwhile, there are American leaders past and present who have remained quiet, or even facilitated the erosion of Americans’ constitutionally protected rights.

“The ‘Profiles in Cowardice’ award was created to call out those weak souls who are failing to engage in efforts to keep our country from sleepwalking into fascism,” said Major General (ret.) Dennis Laich, the director of Eisenhower Media Network.

“These leaders, both past and present, took an oath to ‘support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.’ Through their actions, or inaction, they are violating that oath. We, the American people, are here to remind them of who they serve, and that it’s time to do their constitutional duty by standing up to this administration and its authoritarian bent.”

Nominees for the award include: former President George W. Bush, Rep. Nancy Mace, retired Generals David Petraeus and Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, former Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the Republican members of the Armed Services Committee, and Sen. Jack Reed. The winner will then be presented with the award “at the most inconvenient time possible.”

“It takes courage to do the right thing,” said Christian Sorenson, associate director of Eisenhower Media Network. “It takes even more courage to do the right thing when the system itself fosters militarism and war profiteering. Targeting ‘leaders’ in the nation’s capital, Profiles in Cowardice highlights the craven and the pushovers, as well as those who eagerly abet authoritarianism and nonstop war for personal and professional gain. Virtue and public service will arrive in D.C. one way or another. Profiles in Cowardice is part of that broader effort.”

Voting for the award begins on July 3, closing on August 1. Learn more about the award and the nominees here.