From Lindsey Graham's subversion to Kevin McCarthy's opportunism, the meanness of the Republican Party's hollow men is now an old story.
But what happened this week at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation remains remarkable for what it tells us about the politics of retaliation and intimidation.
David Hume KennerleyThe Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Ford White House photographer resigned from the foundation's board of directors on Tuesday in a scathing letter. Kennerly claimed that his former colleagues are refusing to honor Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) for fear that: donald trump If he returns to the White House, he may retaliate against the foundation — specifically, he may urge the IRS to revoke the foundation's tax-exempt status.
However, as the Financial Times reported,' Ed Ruth commented that the whole controversy was a depressing look at a not-so-likely future.
If you can scare President Trump from giving the Gerald Ford Foundation an award, @Liz_Cheney Six months before the election, imagine the spinelessness we would see after he won. It's truly frightening to have a preview of what's to come.
— Edward Luce (@EdwardGLuce) April 10, 2024
Indeed, the Foundation's alleged preemptive surrender served as a reminder that self-censorship is a hallmark of authoritarianism. The most effective regimes depend on citizens internalizing the need for obedience. Afraid of what would happen next, they handcuffed themselves. A vengeful president need not take punitive executive action. It's enough that he looks like he can. Like clockwork, politicians, organizations and businesses are in agreement.
After news of Kennerly's resignation broke, the foundation announced it had awarded its top award to former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniel. Greaves Whitney, the foundation's executive director, said in a statement that Cheney's selection for the Gerald R. “It could be interpreted as a statement and, as a result, reveal a political statement.” This forms the basis for legal risk of losing nonprofit status with the IRS. ”
Mr. Kennerly was not satisfied with that explanation. not at all.
What is noteworthy is that the former vice president dick cheney He also won the award in 2004, when he was a vice presidential candidate.
In his resignation letter to fellow board members, Kennerly wrote that the foundation refused to bestow the honor on Cheney because of “anxiety about what would happen if a former president were re-elected.” And the fact that the foundation was particularly concerned about Trump weaponizing the IRS is deeply ironic, Kennerly continued. “Gerald Ford became president in part because Richard Nixon ordered an enemy list and required his subordinates to use the IRS.” . That's exactly what the Executive Committee is worried about if there's a second Donald Trump. ”
Kennerly said Cheney previously received a (similar) Profile of Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and three other “defenders of democracy.” He pointed out that there was. The JFK Foundation praised Cheney's conviction, calling her a “consistent and courageous voice in defense of democracy” and praising her for rejecting “the politically expedient course embraced by much of the party.” did.
In contrast, Kennerly said, “Those who rejected Liz now join the many 'good Republicans' who are aiding and abetting our 45th president, ignoring the real threat he poses to our country.” “I'm doing it,” he wrote.
The former presidential photographer added, “It was a difficult but necessary decision to resign from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.” I hope more people across the country will follow Liz Cheney's example and speak out about the threats to our democracy. ”
Whitney reiterated his rationale in a second statement, calling it a “fiduciary duty” under the guidance of his lawyers. “The Foundation's actions this year do not preclude her from serious consideration of receiving the medal in her future,” her statement said.
Like Kennerly, I'm not buying it either. Courage is much rarer than collusion, especially among risk-averse groups. And President Trump continues to promise and count on “retribution” during his presidency.
This article originally appeared on MSNBC.com
