30 Rock’s Maulik Pancholy just quit a presidential commission because of Donald Trump
Back in 2014, Maulik Pancholy—an actor who’s most likely mentally filed as “Jack’s assistant Jonathan from 30 Rock” in the minds of any number of comedy fans—accepted an invitation from the Obama White House to join a Presidential Advisory Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islanders. Now, Pancholy has resigned that position, along with most of his colleagues, citing the policies of President Donald Trump.
Pancholy’s own letter of resignation is perfectly polite, noting his pleasure in getting to serve his country. But he also signed off on a joint letter from nine of his fellow commissioners, writing that they can “no longer serve a president whose policies aim to create outcomes that are diametrically opposite to our principles, goals, and charge.” The group’s letter cites a number of Trump’s policies—including his executive order banning refugee immigration and his intent to repeal the Affordable Care Act—as reasons for the decision.
Besides his president-mandated work, Pancholy has kept busy in the years since he and Alec Baldwin’s Jack Donaghy parted ways; he voices one of the title characters on Nickelodeon’s Sanjay And Craig, and is expected to co-star on the upcoming Star Trek: Discovery.