David Hume Kennerly (Photo: Screenshot from CSPAN video)
A Pulitzer Prize-winning political photographer resigned Tuesday from the board of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation of Grand Rapids, citing its cowardice in rejecting Donald Trump critic Liz Cheney as the recipient of its top yearly award, Politico reports.
Daniel Lippman of Politico reports:
David Hume Kennerly claimed in a letter to fellow trustees that Cheney’s nomination for the Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service was nixed largely out of fear that Trump would retaliate against the organization if he’s reelected. Cheney, herself a trustee, was rejected three separate times, Kennerly wrote, as other potential honorees declined the award.
Each year, the foundation awards the Medal for Distinguished Public Service to persons who have served the public good in the private and public sector.
Foundation Executive Director Gleaves Whitney said in a statement that the decision was made with the input from from legal counsel that was concerned with Cheney's flirtations with a presidential run, Politico reports.
He said that it “might be construed as a political statement and thus expose the Foundation to the legal risk of losing its nonprofit status with the IRS.”
Last month, The Hill reported that Cheney has vowed to do whatever it takes to keep Trump from returning to the White House, and has left the door open to running an independent bid. At the same time, she said she won't be a spoiler third-party candidate if it helps Trump.
With less than seven months to go before the Nov. 5 presidential election, time is running to gather signatures and get on the ballot in different states.
