The founder's stake has always been a threat of centralization. Heretofore, the witnesses had trusted @ned - say what you will, he did not violate that trust as he could have at any moment and assumed control of governance of Steem at his sole option.

Suddenly that trust no longer applied to Steem, and statements out of the Tron organization indicated existential threat to the consensus witnesses positions of power.

They moved to preserve their power.