Latest news with #Crocker
Politico
4 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
Who keeps a broken agency's $13M endowment?
Presented by Welcome to POLITICO's West Wing Playbook: Remaking Government, your guide to Donald Trump's unprecedented overhaul of the federal government — the key decisions, the critical characters and the power dynamics that are upending Washington and beyond. Send tips | Subscribe | Email Sophia | Email Irie | Email Ben In recent years, CHESTER CROCKER, a former RONALD REAGAN official, has contributed about $40,000 to the private endowment of the U.S. Institute of Peace, the independent agency focused on promoting international conflict resolution, where he once served as board chair. When DOGE entered the organization this year, it sent the entirety of the organization's $13 million private endowment — which counts as donors individuals like Crocker and massive companies like Chevron — to the Treasury Department, according to a DOGE social media post, a copy of the Treasury receipt viewed by POLITICO, and four people familiar with the matter and granted anonymity to discuss it. DOGE, on X, said the money was 'taxpayer dollars' to justify their authority over it. Crocker sees it far differently — and went to court in April to stop it. 'The fact of the matter is that those were private donations, and they were made for a specific set of purposes: in support of USIP activities and programs,' Crocker said in an interview. 'The idea of my contribution helping to support illegal ICE roundups in the streets of Los Angeles doesn't fill me with a sense of pride.' Their lawsuit is stayed for the time being, and the transfer — overseen by USIP president and DOGE staffer NATE CAVANAUGH, according to three of the people — raises questions from USIP allies about whether DOGE had the legal authority to move the money without a court order. 'Crocker is a donor to the Endowment of USIP, who specifically pledged money to USIP for supporting a permanent named conference room at USIP headquarters and peacebuilding activities on campus,' the lawsuit reads. Neither Cavanaugh nor the White House responded to a request for comment. GEORGE FOOTE, who represents USIP employees in their separate lawsuit filed in April against the Trump administration over its employee terminations, said Cavanaugh 'didn't have any court authority to confiscate $13 million of USIP corporate property.' 'He had no corporate right to take that money and give it back to the government,' Foote added. 'There's no legal basis for that.' In addition to the endowment, USIP receives roughly $55 million from taxpayers. Former USIP spokesperson LIZ CALLIHAN said that the base funding from Congress and the money from the private endowment were 'never mixed.' The Heritage Foundation, which wrote many white papers that the Trump administration has echoed in its policies, wrote in September that USIP 'is neither nonpartisan nor bipartisan as required by statute.' It called for Congress to withhold funding to the institute 'until it receives satisfactory evidence that the USIP is meeting its statutory requirements and providing the taxpayers who fund it an accounting of how their money is being spent.' This money transfer is one of several moves DOGE officials have taken in recent months to shutter USIP. Cavanaugh on Friday terminated almost the entirety of USIP staff, more than 200 people, after the administration spent months in legal battles fighting for the ability to dismantle the agency. MESSAGE US — West Wing Playbook is obsessively covering the Trump administration's reshaping of the federal government. Are you a federal worker? A DOGE staffer? Have you picked up on any upcoming DOGE moves? We want to hear from you on how this is playing out. Email us at westwingtips@ Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe! POTUS PUZZLER When did presidents begin receiving full-time Secret Service protection? (Answer at bottom.) Agenda Setting POWELL, ON THE BRINK: President DONALD TRUMP during remarks today did not rule out firing Federal Reserve Chair JEROME POWELL, whom he has criticized not lowering interest rates, but said it was 'highly unlikely' that he would do so, our VICTORIA GUIDA, MEREDITH LEE HILL and JASPER GOODMAN report. The president's comment came after he surveyed a group of hard-line House Republicans in the Oval Office on Tuesday night, all of whom want Powell out. After their support, Trump indicated that he would likely remove Powell very soon, according to two people with direct knowledge of the meeting. He also showed the lawmakers a draft letter ousting the Fed chief. A person familiar with the deliberations said the president is actively considering firing Powell but has not made the decision. Trump said in the Oval Office today he is 'not talking about that.' WEATHER PROJECT FROZEN: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was planning to debut its Atlas 15 project, a tool to help communities predict how rising global temperatures will alter the frequency of extreme rainfall, before the Trump administration suspended it, WaPo's SARAH KAPLAN reports. The project was expected to be released in two volumes: one assessing communities' current risks and another that would project how those risks will change under future climate scenarios. But work has been on hold for months after Commerce Secretary HOWARD LUTNICK ordered a review of Volume 2 this spring, according to current and former NOAA officials with knowledge of the project. National Weather Service spokesperson ERICA GROW CEI confirmed the move to delay the project, saying the review is aimed at 'making sure research dollars and technology investments are being put to the very best use for the American people.' BACK AT IT: The EPA has restarted its reorganization efforts after the Supreme Court earlier this month lifted a lower court's injunction stalling the Trump administration from restructuring the agency, POLITICO's E&E News' ROBIN BRAVENDER and KEVIN BOGARDUS report. But EPA employees will have less say in where they end up under the reconstruction because officials still want to meet a set timeline, an EPA official told colleagues in an internal email obtained by POLITICO's E&E News. The apparent move to limit employees' options signals that the agency is hustling to comply with the administration's directive to restructure federal bureaucracy. Following the Supreme Court's order, 'the agency is moving forward with making selections to fill open positions that will help the agency meet its mission and Power the Great American Comeback,' EPA spokesperson MOLLY VASELIOU said in an email. WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN: HHS Secretary ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. named a new acting chief of staff today after the departure of two senior staffers, our LAUREN GARDNER and DAVID LIM report. MATT BUCKHAM, who was previously Kennedy's White House liaison, is taking on the role immediately, an HHS spokesperson confirmed to POLITICO. His predecessor, HEATHER FLICK MELANSON, is no longer listed on the department's leadership webpage. And HANNAH ANDERSON, Kennedy's deputy chief of staff for policy, departed Tuesday, a former department official familiar with the matter told POLITICO. What We're Reading The Navy has struggled to construct ships. Now it may cut the admirals who help build them. (POLITICO's Paul McLeary and Jack Detsch) The White House's plan to downsize the federal government, in charts (WaPo's Jeremy B. Merrill, Kati Perry and Jacob Bogage) 'The powerful protecting the powerful': Democrats see an opening on Epstein (POLITICO's Elena Schneider and Nicholas Wu) Opinion | The Real Goal of Trump's Attack on Harvard Isn't What You Think (Michael S. Roth for POLITICO Magazine) POTUS PUZZLER ANSWER In 1902, following the assassination of former President WILLIAM McKINLEY, the Secret Service assumed full-time responsibility for protecting presidents, beginning with THEODORE ROOSEVELT. The law enforcement agency was initially founded in 1865 as a branch of the Treasury Department to combat the counterfeiting of U.S. currency.
The 42
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Crocker v Donovan rematch confirmed as first-ever all-Irish world title fight
LEWIS CROCKER AND Paddy Donovan will make history when they meet later this year in boxing's first-ever all-Irish world title fight. The eagerly-anticipated rematch between the two has now been officially confirmed for the vacant IBF world welterweight title, promoters Matchroom Boxing said. Advertisement A date and venue is still to be set, with all indications to date pointing towards Belfast's Windsor Park in September. The first fight between Belfast's Crocker and Limerick's Donovan last March ended in controversy when Donovan was deemed to have thrown a punch after the bell and was disqualified. While the Andy Lee-trained Donovan suffered the first pro defeat of his career, Crocker's DQ victory preserved his own unbeaten record and established him as the mandatory challenger for the IBF title. Donovan subsequently won an appeal against his disqualification, mandating a rematch to establish the IBF's number one contender in the division. Champion Jaron 'Boots' Ennis has now officially vacated his belt to step up to light-middleweight — a move which had been long anticipated — ensuring that the newest world boxing champion from the island of Ireland will be crowned when Crocker and Donovan face off for their rematch.
The 42
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
World title likely to be on the line in rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan
A REMATCH OF the most controversial all-Irish boxing match in recent years looks set to be elevated in its significance, with Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan moving closer to meeting for the vacant IBF welterweight world title in the autumn. Eddie Hearn, who promotes both Crocker and Donovan, tonight confirmed that current welterweight king Jaron 'Boots' Ennis intends to move up to light-middleweight on health and performance grounds, which would make it 'very likely that his belts will become vacated'. Belfast's Crocker [21-0, 11KOs] is the number-one-ranked contender for Ennis' IBF title following his disqualification victory over Limerick's Donovan in March, with Donovan [14-1, 11KOs] positioned next in line due to the contentious nature of his first career defeat. Advertisement The IBF initially ordered the Irish duo to meet again in a final eliminator for the 147-pound title following an appeal by Donovan's team, but if champion Ennis was to release the IBF title in the coming weeks, the sanctioning body would likely decree that the vacant belt be contested between Crocker and Donovan. And promoter Hearn says the weight cut to 147 pounds has become too prohibitive for Ennis, this despite his sublime stoppage of the world-class Eimantas Stanionis back in April. 'Boots is moving up,' the Matchroom boss told 'Unfortunately, after the Stanionis fight, he had his team around him, the doctors, the tests, and what they're basically saying is, 'Boots is underperforming [versus] his capabilities'. 'You saw him on fight week,' Hearn added, alluding to Ennis' gaunt physical condition before fight night. 'It doesn't take a genius to see it's hard work. And the amazing thing is he did that to Stanionis at 50% of his physical capabilities. 'It's very likely that his belts will become vacated. We'll meet this week.' Were the IBF to stick with its current rankings and allow Crocker and Donovan to meet again for world honours, the sequel would become the first all-Irish world-title fight in boxing history. Matchroom have been eyeing up a late September or early October date for the rematch, which will again take place in Belfast. Windsor Park, initially considered too big for a non-title bout between boxers who are not yet established stars, is currently being re-explored as a potential destination. The original bout at Belfast's SSE Arena was, in its own right, one the most significant to take place between two Irish boxers in the modern era. 'Real Deal' Donovan and trainer Andy Lee were left furious when the previously unbeaten Munsterman was disqualified for knocking down hometown hero Crocker after the bell had sounded to end the eighth round. Donovan had already been harshly deducted two points for head clashes by English referee Marcus McDonnell. Donovan had broadly dominated a compelling contest against his domestic rival, leading 'The Croc' 69-63 x2 and 67-65 on the three judges' scorecards and earning a legitimate knockdown before being disqualified for an illegal blow.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Raymond town manager reflects on first weeks on the job
Jun. 9—Raymond Town Manager Joseph Crocker discussed his first weeks on the job, and the issues the town is facing as it heads into the summer tourist season. Crocker, who was officially appointed to the position on May 20, previously served as director of parks and recreation for five years. According to a Facebook post from the Parks and Recreation Department celebrating his appointment to the role of town manager, Crocker's tenure saw major new installations such as a snack bar and bathrooms at Tassel Top Park, as well as the construction of tennis and pickleball courts, and over 50 programs and events being "built from the ground up." Crocker first took on the role of interim town manager after his predecessor, Sue Look, stepped down after a year in the position. Crocker told Lakes Region Now that Look accepted another job closer to her home in Pittsfield. When asked about what the most important issue facing the community of Raymond was, Crocker said his main focus in the early days of his tenure has been the Jordan Small Middle School Visioning Committee. The committee is in the later stages of presenting possibilities for what could be done with the soon-to-be-vacant building. Noting that the committee was charged by the Select Board to gather information in a relatively short period of time, Crocker praised their efforts, particularly committee head Peter Lockwood. The middle school is due to be shuttered in 2027, when Raymond and Windham plan to merge their middle schools into a single building, and the old building will be turned over to the town. The committee, which includes representatives from the Comprehensive Plan Committee, the library and a senior citizens group, among other stakeholders, was formed earlier this year to discuss potential uses for the school building. Possibilities include facilities for seniors, and a new home for the library or community center. While Crocker did not directly indicate his preferred use to Lakes Region Now, at a Select Board meeting in late 2024, he mentioned how Westbrook had successfully converted a former school into a community center. When asked what lessons he is carrying over from his previous role as parks and recreation director, Crocker said he was hoping to focus on community development. Parks and recreation, he said, was about community building, and providing services that are valuable to all community members, whether children, adults, or senior citizens. As town manager, he said, he wanted to make sure that he kept building on those services, and trying to adapt as those services are implemented. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
25-year-old sentenced to 18 years for series of armed robberies near Anacostia Park
WASHINGTON () — A 25-year-old man will spend over a decade behind bars for a series of robberies near Anacostia Park two years ago. The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia announced Wednesday that David Crocker, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 18 years in prison for robbing people at gunpoint. His sentence comes after he pleaded guilty to several counts of armed robbery in December 2023. He also pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a pistol. Tenants say church took down Pride decorations at DC apartment building According to the attorney's office, Crocker robbed two people at gunpoint on Dec. 18, 2024, near Anacostia Park. During the first robbery, he targeted a person in the 2200 block of Fairlawn Avenue, SE. There, Crocker pulled out a black and silver pistol and took the victim's phone, keys and wallet. After, he demanded the victim give him their PINs for their CashApp account and credit cards. Later that same day, Crocker robbed another person who was on the Anacostia Railroad Bridge. He again took out the pistol and took the victim's bike, cell phone, keys and wallet. He was also able to get the victims' PINs to their bank accounts. Moments after the robbery, United States Park police officers arrested Crocker and recovered the stolen items. As part of his sentencing, Crocker was ordered to serve five years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a gun offender. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
