Obama awarded the vice-president the highest civilian honor at the White House on Thursday, days before they both leave office

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Joe Biden hints at 2020 presidential run: 'Fate has a strange way of intervening' Read more

Barack Obama surprised the vice-president, Joe Biden, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday.

A teary-eyed Biden accepted the medal, the highest civilian honor, at a ceremony at the White House.

Obama said he was bestowing the honor on Biden for “faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country and a lifetime of service that will endure through the generations”.

He called the vice-president an “extraordinary man with an extraordinary career in public service”.

Biden praised his wife and children for their support throughout his career, and praised the Obama family for their dedication to country and service.

“I was part of the journey of a remarkable man who did remarkable things,” Biden said.

Speaking ahead of Biden, Obama said the tribute would give the internet one last chance to joke about the “bromance” the two share. He called Biden the “best possible choice, not just for me, but for the American people”.

Obama commended the “Biden heart”, listing the influences in Biden’s life, from the nuns who taught him in grade school, to his Senate colleagues, to his parents.

Noting that Biden’s career was “nowhere close to finished”, Obama said his vice-president would go on to have an impact in the US and abroad.