David Hume Kennerly, the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, resigned as a trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Basis on Tuesday, citing the group’s resolution to not give former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) its annual Medal for Distinguished Public Service as the rationale for his departure.
Kennerly, the chief White Home photographer throughout President Ford’s administration, mentioned in a letter to the inspiration that the board rejected Cheney’s nomination as a result of some members feared potential repercussions if former President Trump gained again the White Home in November.
Kennerly mentioned he made the case for Cheney a number of occasions, however when the manager committee rejected her for the third time, “it grew to become crystal clear to me that one thing else was occurring,” including, “The method for honoring President Ford by recognizing his virtues in others was being undermined by the identical pressures weakening Republican establishments and plenty of conservative leaders.”
“A key cause Liz’s nomination was turned down was your agita about what may occur if the previous president is reelected. A few of you raised the specter of being attacked by the Inner Income Service and shedding the inspiration’s tax-exempt standing as retribution for choosing Liz for the award,” he wrote within the letter obtained by Politico.
In an announcement, the Ford Presidential Basis’s government director, Gleaves Whitney, outlined issues about shedding the IRS tax-exempt standing, saying it wouldn’t have been “prudent” to present Cheney the award since there have been media experiences that Cheney may need been mulling a presidential run.
Whitney mentioned, nonetheless, that “Cheney meets all the standards the Ford Presidential Basis medal signifies—braveness, integrity, and fervour to serve the American folks” and that “The Basis’s motion this 12 months under no circumstances precludes her from critical consideration to obtain the medal in a future 12 months.”
Kennerly mentioned within the letter, nonetheless, “The historic irony was utterly misplaced on you.”
“Gerald Ford grew to become president, partially, as a result of Richard Nixon had ordered the event of an enemies listing and demanded his underlings use the IRS towards these listed,” he wrote. “That’s precisely what the manager committee fears will occur if there’s a second coming of Donald Trump.”
Kennerly, in his letter, took purpose on the many establishments that he mentioned have cowered within the face of the potential of Trump’s return to the White Home and warned of the hazard to democracy.
“You aren’t alone. Many foundations, organizations, firms, and different entities are caught up on this tidal wave of timidity and concern that’s sweeping this nation,” Kennerly wrote. “I mistakenly thought we have been higher than that. That is the type of acquiescent habits that results in authoritarianism. President Ford most definitely would have come out even harder and mentioned that it leads on to fascism.”
“These of you who rejected Liz be a part of many ‘good Republicans’ now aiding and abetting our forty fifth president by ignoring the real menace he presents to our nation. America is lucky to have Liz Cheney nonetheless on the market on the entrance traces of freedom vigorously defending our Structure and democratic lifestyle. However you don’t have her again.”
“In failing to honor Liz’s braveness, resolve, and integrity, you’re retreating and hunkering down behind a wall of silence,” he wrote.
Kennerly mentioned he thinks Ford “would have stood alongside Liz Cheney strongly, proudly, and publicly. Gerald Ford wouldn’t have been intimidated by phantom penalties. He would have adopted a ‘rattling the torpedoes’ strategy as he proceeded to do the best factor.”
He additionally criticized the manager committee’s resolution as quick sighted.
“By not choosing Liz as this 12 months’s Medal recipient, the Ford Basis has missed a crucial alternative to ship a message to our fellow residents right here in America and the remainder of the world. When Ford was in workplace folks nonetheless recall his dedication to our allies, the rule of regulation, and assembly the problem posed by tyrannical leaders. By saying that we stand with Liz Cheney within the title of Gerald Ford to assist her crucial mission on this existential second we additionally would have honored his reminiscence. And proven that we concern no evil,” he wrote.
Cheney has been outspoken concerning the hazard that she says a second Trump time period would pose to American democracy. She was the vice chair of the Home Choose Committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol, which documented the in depth efforts Trump, and his allies undertook to remain in energy after Trump misplaced the 2020 presidential election.
Kennerly confirmed his resignation in a put up on X, saying it was a “painful resolution” to resign, “however needed.”
“I hope extra folks across the nation will observe @Liz_Cheney’s instance and converse out concerning the menace to our democracy. Time to step up,” he added.
