Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photographer Resigns From Gerald Ford Foundation Board Over Liz Cheney Snub

(AP Photo/Adam Bird)

Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Hume Kennerly resigned from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation after it failed to honor Liz Cheney with their top prize.

“It was a painful decision to resign from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, but necessary. I hope more people around the country will follow [Liz Cheney]’s example and speak out about the threat to our democracy. Time to step up,” Kennerly wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

In a letter to fellow trustees, Kennerly suggested Cheney’s nomination for the Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service was dropped multiple times over fear Donald Trump could target the organization during a potential second presidency.

Cheney is a vocal critic of Trump and served on the congressional subcommittee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Gleaves Whitney, executive director of the Ford Foundation, claimed in a statement to Politico that Cheney was not accepted because of rumors she could end up running for president.

In his letter, Kennerly suggested Cheney get her very own award.

“After this current divisive era passes, people will remember who stood up for what. But it’s not too late to save the day. If you really want to correct this grievous mistake, create the ‘Gerald R. Ford Commendation for Political Valor,’ and make Liz Cheney its only recipient. That might help right the ship,” he wrote.

Kennerly, a veteran photographer, won a 1972 Pulitzer Prize for photojournalism and has covered conflicts like the Vietnam War. He’s photographed numerous presidents and served as Gerald Ford’s photographer while he was president.

Honoring Cheney, he argued, would also honor the values of Ford.

“When Ford was in office people still recall his commitment to our allies, the rule of law, and meeting the challenge posed by tyrannical leaders. By saying that we stand with Liz Cheney in the name of Gerald Ford to support her critical,” he wrote.

Kennerly finished the letter by accusing the group of not standing up to a real “threat to democracy.”

“Today I am resigning from the Gerald R. Ford board as a trustee. If the foundation that bears the name of Gerald R. Ford won’t stand up to this real threat to our democracy, who will?” he wrote.