(NewsNation) — David Hume Kennerly, who served as chief White House photographer during the Gerald Ford administration, has quit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation over its decision not to give its highest award to former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney.

Kennerly, a Pulitzer Prize winner, said he quit the group’s board because some members feared losing its tax-exempt status should Donald Trump return as president.

Cheney was one of only two Republicans on the House committee that investigated the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021. She subsequently lost her reelection race in her heavily pro-Trump state.

“She is a courageous person, and I wanted her to get it. It wasn’t just me. A lot of people in this country think she deserved it,” Kennerly told NewsNation’s “Dan Abrams Live” on Wednesday.

He said it was cowardly to reject Cheney for the Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the foundation’s highest honor, over fears of appearing partisan.

“They (executive committee) said, by giving (Cheney) an award, it may look like they’re supporting her candidacy,” he said. “The only problem is there was no candidacy. She didn’t announce that she was running.”

In his letter of resignation, Kennerly sharply rebuked the foundation board.

“The historical irony was completely lost on you. Gerald Ford became president, in part, because Richard Nixon had ordered the development of an enemies list and demanded his underlings use the IRS against those listed.”

Kennerly, who first suggested that Cheney be given the award, says no one these days is more deserving.

“This whole thing is about President Ford’s legacy and Liz Cheney’s courage. I don’t know anybody in this country that deserve (the) award more than she does.”

Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels will receive the award in June, according to a letter from Ford Presidential Foundation’s executive director Gleaves Whitney.

He also said the foundation’s decision this year doesn’t preclude Cheney from being considered in the future.