Fox News: Daniel Penny Poised for Congressional Gold Medal Honor

U.S. Rep. Eli Crane, a Republican from Arizona, is set to introduce a resolution aimed at awarding Daniel Penny the Congressional Gold Medal, a prestigious civilian honor. This proposal comes amid ongoing debates surrounding the case of Penny, a Marine veteran implicated in the death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man, on a New York City subway in May 2023.

Crane, a retired Navy SEAL, articulated his support for Penny, stating, “His actions exemplify what it means to stand against the grain to do right in a world that rewards moral cowardice.” He criticized the justice system, claiming it allows crime to flourish while punishing those who take a stand.

The circumstances leading to the trial of Daniel Penny are contentious. On the day of the incident, witnesses reported that Neely, who suffered from schizophrenia, had threatened passengers, declaring, “someone’s going to die today.” In response, Penny applied a chokehold that lasted approximately six minutes, which ultimately resulted in Neely’s death.

Penny’s defense maintains that his actions were a necessary response to protect himself and other passengers, highlighting the uncertainty regarding whether the chokehold directly caused Neely’s death. They noted the presence of K2, a synthetic drug, in Neely’s system at the time.

Conversely, prosecutors argue that Neely posed no direct threat and was unarmed, asserting that Penny’s continued grip on Neely despite signs of unconsciousness was reckless and directly contributed to his death.

This high-profile case has ignited broader discussions about vigilantism and the effectiveness of progressive city criminal policies. In his resolution, Crane emphasized Penny’s role in safeguarding subway riders, claiming that Penny’s actions were commendable in light of a failing justice system that inadequately protects citizens.

“Daniel Penny, with others, acted to save New York City subway riders from threatening behavior by restraining a criminal—who had 42 prior arrests and an active warrant—until the police arrived,” Crane stated in the legislative text, previewed by media outlets. “The courageous actions taken… went beyond the civilian call of duty.”