Whitney said in a statement prior to Daniels’ announcement that the foundation’s executive committee, led by legal counsel, believed it was not “wise” to give the medal to Cheney given her flirtation with a presidential candidate.
Giving her the medal during the election cycle, Whitney said, “could be interpreted as a political statement and thereby expose the Foundation to the legal risk of losing its nonprofit status with the IRS.”
Kennerly, who served as Ford’s White House photographer and a longtime foundation trustee, attacked that argument in his letter: “The historical irony was completely lost on you.” Gerald Ford became president in part because Richard Nixon ordered the creation of an enemies list and demanded that his subordinates use the IRS against those on the list.”
“If the foundation that bears the name Gerald R. Ford cannot stand up to this real threat to our democracy,” he added, “who can?”
A fellow board member, who spoke on condition of anonymity to be frank, said the board was “really terrified” of losing their IRS tax-exempt status if they had given the award to Cheney. “They are really, really concerned. It’s insanity,” the person said. It was Kennerly who first nominated her in October, according to a second person familiar with the matter.
Asked for further comment, Kennerly confirmed the authenticity of the letter and said: “It didn’t make me happy to write it.”
Daniels and a spokesperson for Cheney did not respond to requests for comment.
Adam Wren contributed to this report.