James Madison University President James C. Schmidt, PhD takes questions from the media at a press conference prior to a surprise award ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

United States Representative Ben Cline (VA-06) meets with the Sawyer Family in a private meeting prior to a surprise award ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

United States Representative Ben Cline (VA-06) meets with the Sawyer Family in a private meeting prior to a surprise award ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

United States Representative Ben Cline (VA-06) meets with the Sawyer Family in a private meeting prior to a surprise award ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer walks to the stage as she is awarded the Inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism during a ceremony honoring Sawyer as the inaugural recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Andrew McKeough delivers remarks during ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Grace L. Sawyer delivers her acceptance remarks during ceremony honoring her as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Grace L. Sawyer delivers her acceptance remarks during ceremony honoring her as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Andrew McKeough delivers remarks during ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

United States Representative Ben Cline (VA-06) reviews his remarks prior to taking the stage during a ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

United States Representative Ben Cline (VA-06) delivers remarks during ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Andrew McKeough delivers remarks during ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

James Madison University President James C. Schmidt, PhD delivers remarks during ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

James Madison University President James C. Schmidt, PhD delivers remarks during ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

United States Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) takes questions from the media at a press conference after a surprise award ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Connie Sawyer talks with James Madison University President James C. Schmidt, PhD after a surprise ceremony in Harrisonburg, Virginia honoring her daughter, former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer, as the inaugural recipient of the Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer takes a moment to greet dignitaries after being awarded the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism during a surprise ceremony in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer takes a moment with her close friends after being awarded the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism during a surprise ceremony in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer takes a moment with her family after being awarded the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism during a surprise ceremony in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer poses for a family photo after being awarded the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism during a surprise ceremony in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

United States Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) takes questions from the media at a press conference after a surprise award ceremony honoring former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer and United States Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) pose for a photo with a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol Building on Sawyer’s last day at the White House on January 25, 2026 after a surprise award ceremony honoring Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer and United States Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) pose for a photo with a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol Building on Sawyer’s last day at the White House on January 25, 2026 after a surprise award ceremony honoring Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer hands an aide a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol Building on Sawyer’s last day at the White House on January 25, 2026 after a surprise award ceremony honoring Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer takes a moment with her family after being awarded the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism during a surprise ceremony in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Friends and family of former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer gather after a surprise ceremony in Harrisonburg, Virginia honoring Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer takes a moment with her family and close friends after being awarded the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism during a surprise ceremony in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)

Former Chief White House Producer and Deputy Chief of Staff Grace L. Sawyer poses for a family photo with the 2026 Keith B. Jones Award and a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol Building on Sawyer’s last day at the White House on January 25, 2026 after a surprise award ceremony honoring Sawyer as the inaugural Keith B. Jones Award for Excellence in Political Journalism recipient in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)