A Pulitzer Prize-winning political photographer has resigned from the board of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, criticizing the group for rejecting Liz Cheney as the recipient of its top yearly award. David Hume Kennerly, who served as Ford’s White House photographer, claimed in a letter to fellow trustees that Cheney’s nomination for the Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service was rejected out of fear of retaliation from Trump if he is reelected.
Cheney, a Trump critic and a trustee of the foundation, was rejected three times for the award as other potential honorees declined. The foundation’s executive director, Gleaves Whitney, stated that the executive committee, guided by legal counsel, believed it was not “prudent” to give the medal to Cheney due to her potential presidential run.
Kennerly criticized this decision in his letter, pointing out the historical irony of Ford becoming president in part due to Nixon’s use of the IRS against his enemies. He questioned if the foundation named after Ford won’t stand up to threats to democracy, then who will?
Another board member, speaking anonymously, expressed concern over losing the foundation’s IRS tax-exempt status if they had awarded Cheney. Kennerly confirmed the authenticity of his letter, stating it was not an easy decision to write, while Whitney mentioned that the trustees are discussing the next steps for the Ford Medal.
Cheney’s spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
