I Think That Donald Trump Is Dangerous For This Country
[b]Donald Trump's arts and humanities council resigns en masse as fallout from Charlottesville continues[/b]
Harriet Alexander, new york
18 AUGUST 2017
[b]An entire White House agency resigned en masse on Friday in protest at Donald Trump’s response to Charlottesville, as the embattled president faced further damaging condemnation from all sides for his remarks.[/b]
The President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH) became the fourth presidential panel to disband after his ill-advised comments on Tuesday.
Two committees of business leaders - the manufacturing council and strategic policy forum – ceased operations, with Mr Trump issuing a hasty tweet on Wednesday to announce their closure before the members could resign. A third committee, on infrastructure, would not even begin work, the White House said on Thursday.
Unlike the others, however, the 17-member PCAH is considered an official agency, with the First Lady as its honorary chair.
Founded by Barack Obama, it is yet to meet under Mr Trump, but works with American educators and leads cultural delegations to other countries.
On Friday its members, including artist Chuck Close, actor Kal Penn, author Jhumpa Lahiri and Vicki Kennedy, widow of former senator Ted Kennedy, issued a scathing statement to announce their mass resignation.
“We cannot sit idly by, the way that your West Wing advisors have, without speaking out against your words and actions,” the members wrote, calling on the president to resign if he does not see a problem with what has happened this week.
“Ignoring your hateful rhetoric would have made us complicit in your words and actions.
“You released a budget which eliminates arts and culture agencies. You have threatened nuclear war while gutting diplomacy funding. The administration pulled out of the Paris agreement, filed an amicus brief undermining the Civil Rights Act and attacked our brave trans service members. You have subverted equal protections, and are committed to banning Muslims and refugee women & children from our great country.
“This does not unify the nation we all love.”
Harriet Alexander, new york
18 AUGUST 2017
[b]An entire White House agency resigned en masse on Friday in protest at Donald Trump’s response to Charlottesville, as the embattled president faced further damaging condemnation from all sides for his remarks.[/b]
The President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH) became the fourth presidential panel to disband after his ill-advised comments on Tuesday.
Two committees of business leaders - the manufacturing council and strategic policy forum – ceased operations, with Mr Trump issuing a hasty tweet on Wednesday to announce their closure before the members could resign. A third committee, on infrastructure, would not even begin work, the White House said on Thursday.
Unlike the others, however, the 17-member PCAH is considered an official agency, with the First Lady as its honorary chair.
Founded by Barack Obama, it is yet to meet under Mr Trump, but works with American educators and leads cultural delegations to other countries.
On Friday its members, including artist Chuck Close, actor Kal Penn, author Jhumpa Lahiri and Vicki Kennedy, widow of former senator Ted Kennedy, issued a scathing statement to announce their mass resignation.
“We cannot sit idly by, the way that your West Wing advisors have, without speaking out against your words and actions,” the members wrote, calling on the president to resign if he does not see a problem with what has happened this week.
“Ignoring your hateful rhetoric would have made us complicit in your words and actions.
“You released a budget which eliminates arts and culture agencies. You have threatened nuclear war while gutting diplomacy funding. The administration pulled out of the Paris agreement, filed an amicus brief undermining the Civil Rights Act and attacked our brave trans service members. You have subverted equal protections, and are committed to banning Muslims and refugee women & children from our great country.
“This does not unify the nation we all love.”
61-69, M
