He Risked It All on the Subway, and Now He’s Being Crowned a Hero – You’ll Want to See This!

A Republican congressman from Arizona is sparking heated debate by proposing the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, for Daniel Penny, a Marine Corps veteran currently on trial for choking a homeless man on a New York subway. The move, which has garnered both praise and backlash, is the latest chapter in a case that has divided public opinion across the country.

Rep. Eli Crane, a former Navy SEAL, announced his intention to honor Penny during an interview with Fox News. “Daniel Penny’s actions exemplify what it means to stand against the grain to do right in a world that rewards moral cowardice,” Crane declared. Calling the justice system “fiercely corrupt,” he added, “Mr. Penny bravely stood in the gap to defy this corrupt system and protect his fellow Americans.”

The resolution, which Crane has already drafted, lauds Penny for what it describes as his bravery during the May 2023 incident. Penny, now 26, restrained Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man and street performer, in a chokehold after Neely allegedly shouted threatening remarks at passengers on a Manhattan subway. The document argues Penny acted to “protect women and children” in a city it accuses of failing to curb violent crime.

Penny is facing a negligent homicide charge in New York, where prosecutors allege he used excessive force, resulting in Neely’s death. The defense, however, maintains that Penny acted in self-defense and points to other factors that may have contributed to Neely’s death.

The trial has been as polarizing as the incident itself. Jurors spent nearly a week deliberating before the prosecution dropped a more severe manslaughter charge last Friday. Public discourse, however, continues unabated.

Supporters, including many conservatives, have painted Penny as a hero, stepping up to protect everyday citizens in a city they see as increasingly unsafe. Millions of dollars have poured into Penny’s legal defense fund via GiveSendGo, a crowdfunding platform popular among right-wing groups. Conservative media has also rallied behind him, branding him as a symbol of resistance against urban chaos.

“We’re now on the subway where we’re hearing someone talking about hurting people, killing people,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on a radio program, echoing some of the sentiments voiced by Penny’s supporters. “You have someone [Penny] on that subway who was responding, doing what we should have done as a city.”

Critics, however, see the proposed medal as an alarming endorsement of vigilante justice. Public Advocate Juamaane Williams condemned the case’s framing, saying it “devalues the life of a Black, homeless man with mental health challenges” and fosters an attitude of indifference toward vulnerable populations. Others worry the award sets a dangerous precedent, glorifying an action that led to a preventable death.

The incident has drawn attention to larger issues, such as the treatment of homelessness and mental health in urban areas. For some, Penny’s actions highlight systemic failures, while others view them as a response to those very failures.

Despite the trial’s outcome still hanging in the balance, Rep. Crane’s push to recognize Penny as a national hero underscores the stark divide in how Americans view the role of personal responsibility and justice in an increasingly fractured society. Whether Penny is ultimately convicted or acquitted, the conversation about his actions—and the legacy they leave—will likely endure far beyond the courtroom.