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The Hill
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Democratic drama: Union leader exits underscore DNC divisions
The departure of two major union presidents from their posts at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is raising questions about lingering internal divisions as the party seeks to regroup. On Sunday, news surfaced that American Federation of Teachers union President Randi Weingarten and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees President Lee Saunders would decline to be reappointed as at-large members of the committee. Both endorsed DNC Chair Ken Martin's former opponent Ben Wikler in the party chair's race earlier this year, and both were later removed by Martin from the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee. The two cited internal disagreements in their decisions to leave the DNC; their exits are the latest examples of internal disagreements within the party spilling out into the open. 'It shows that we're not united,' said Douglas Wilson, a North Carolina-based Democratic strategist. 'Everytime we have a situation where prominent people are exiting their posts, not the party but their posts at the DNC, that becomes the narrative as opposed to what the Trump administration is doing.' Other Democrats have brushed off the departures as not completely out of the ordinary. 'There is zero daylight between Chairman Martin and the vast, vast majority of DNC members,' said New York state Sen. James Skoufis (D), who ran for DNC chair earlier this year and backed Martin after dropping out. 'There are always going to be a couple of members, a few members who from administration to administration are not going to be completely aligned and are not going to want to continue as members. And so that always happens,' he said. Weingarten and Saunders informed Martin in separate letters that they were declining to be nominated as at-large members of the DNC. 'While I am a proud Democrat, I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging, and I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more and more of our community,' Weingarten wrote to Martin in a letter dated June 5. In his letter dated May 27, Saunders wrote to Martin that 'this moment demands unwavering focus, discipline, and clarity.' 'It demands that we devote every ounce of our energy to defending our members, protecting our collective bargaining rights and making sure that all workers know we are in their corner and we are fighting,' Saunders wrote. A source close to the DNC told The Hill that Weingarten's exit did not come as a surprise. 'Ever since the horse she bet on in the chair's race lost, she has always been on the other side of the fence as Ken — this is no surprise,' the source said. And in a statement following news Saunders was leaving the committee, DNC Labor Council Chair Stuart Appelbaum praised Martin as a leader who understands 'workers are the backbone of the Democratic Party.' A separate Democratic source described Weingarten's and Saunders's support of Wikler during the race as 'hyperintense,' noting they were 'bitter' with the outcome of the race. 'It was very clear to me that they were looking to blow up the DNC,' the source said. '[Martin] is not looking to blow the place up.' The two unions represent significant Democratic constituencies. The American Federation of Teachers boasts more than 1.8 million members while American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has more than 1.3 million members. The groups and their leaders are also expected to continue to play major roles in the Democratic ecosystem. Some Democrats note that Weingarten's and Saunders's departures come after Republicans made inroads with some union constituencies in 2024. 'Although Republicans are not sweeping unions, Republicans are starting to be viewed by union members as the party of the people who have to take a shower after work or in this case the people who have to take an Excedrin after work,' Wilson said. Critics of the departures have been quick to label the moves as 'a distraction,' noting how the two letters surfaced Sunday evening. 'We don't have to have all of these disputes and conversations in the public sphere because it does not help the overall cause and the overall good,' said Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist and former adviser to former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. 'No matter what the disagreement may be, it does not compare to the disagreements that we have with the other side,' he continued. John Verdejo, a DNC member from North Carolina, said he sees the situation as coming down to 'bruised egos.' 'The fact they decided to go public with this, on a matter that is internal, on top of all that is going on, speaks volumes and more about them,' Verdejo said. Last week, the DNC was moving forward after David Hogg announced he would not be vying for his spot as vice chair in the DNC after an overwhelming majority of committee members voted to redo the vice chair elections of Hogg and Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who was elected again to the post on Saturday. Hogg has faced backlash from Democrats for launching his organization, Leaders We Deserve, that would primary incumbent House Democrats in an effort to bring about generational change within the party, all while he was serving as a vice chair. Weingarten expressed support in April for Hogg's efforts to get involved in Democratic primaries, but her exit letter was written prior to Hogg's decision to not run for vice chair again. 'It's very obvious to most that Randi was channeling that disappointment with the [chair] race through David Hogg because David Hogg obviously was a very significant disrupter,' the second Democratic source said. Seawright argued that the departures present Martin with the opportunity to bring new members into the vacated spots. 'Randi has been around the DNC for a very long time so maybe her resignation is another opportunity for another generation of leadership who wants to do the work ahead that's going to be required of us as Democrats,' he said.
The Hill
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Public sector union head steps down from DNC
Lee Saunders, the president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, stepped down from his post at the Democratic National Committee on Sunday, becoming the second union leader to resign from the committee. In a letter obtained by The Hill, Saunders informed DNC Chair Ken Martin that he would decline his reappointment as an at-large member of the committee. 'This moment demands unwavering focus, discipline, and clarity,' Saunders wrote. 'It demands that we devote every ounce of our energy to defending our members, protecting our collective bargaining rights and making sure that all workers know we are in their corner and we are fighting.' The union led by Saunders represents over 1.3 million public sector employees and retirees. Saunders' letter comes after the American Federation of Teachers Union President Randi Weingarten informed DNC Chair Ken Martin of her decision to step down from her post in a letter dated June 5. Saunders and Weingarten both endorsed former Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler in his race against Martin for DNC Chair. The exits come as Martin has had to grapple with internal divisions at the DNC being laid bare in recent weeks. Former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg has been vocally critical of the party's leadership, writing in a post on X last week that the party's leaders have been 'asleep at the wheel.' Hogg faced backlash from many Democrats including within the DNC for launching an organization that would primary incumbent House Democrats in an effort to bring about generational change within the party. Hogg said he would not be vying for his spot as vice chair in the DNC after an overwhelming majority of DNC committee members voted to redo the vice chair elections of Hogg and Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who was elected again to the post on Saturday.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bell Island fishermen went out for lobster, but caught an 'apparent' artillery shell
When Tara Saunders' husband went out to check his lobster pots on Saturday afternoon, she didn't expect he would also bring home an apparent military artillery shell. She couldn't believe it when her husband, Stewart Saunders, called to tell her he jumped in the water to pick up the object, and then he and his skipper Randell Clarke put the object in their boat and brought it home. "I said, what? You got to be kidding me," Saunders told CBC News. When she saw the object, "I immediately just stood back and I thought, 'Oh my goodness me, this thing is absolutely massive.'" Saunders says her husband and son were picking up the object when she made the call to police. The Bell Island RCMP told them to immediately vacate the premises, and within five minutes, officers had arrived. In a statement, police described the object as "an apparent military artillery shell." Police transported it to the local airstrip safely, moving it far from residential areas. The RCMP sent out a notice to the public that evening warning them to avoid the Bell Island airstrip until further notice. The release states that the object "will be continuously monitored until experts can properly dispose of it." RCMP say they believe there is no risk to public safety at this time, but are proceeding with an abundance of caution. Saunders says police told her the object was from World War II and weighed approximately 30 pounds. During the war, Bell Island was the target of Nazi U-boats aiming to disrupt iron ore exports. In 1942, the attacks resulted in the sinking of four ships and the deaths of 70 men. Clarke has been a fisherman on Bell Island for over 60 years, and this is the first time he has ever seen a missile in the ocean, says Saunders. Saunders said the response from police was incredible. "To see these officers, the way they handled this missile or whatever the actual term of it is, with such caution and precision," she said. In retrospect, Saunders says her husband and Clarke are very lucky they weren't harmed. "For the amount of handling and the bumping of the road it did and coming in off the boat with it … I keep telling my husband and Randell that they're like cats with nine lives and they have two used up." Saunders says she hopes her husband won't pull a missile out of the ocean again. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page
West Australian
5 days ago
- West Australian
Former Broome Bishop Christopher Saunders fined $2k after pleading guilty to firearm offences
Former Broome bishop Christopher Saunders has been fined $2000 after pleading guilty to firearms charges. The charges relate to Saunders' failure to properly secure ammunition and a firearm, with Magistrate Deen Potter describing his storage practices as 'extremely lax.' Broome Magistrates Court was on Monday told that hundreds of rounds of ammunition were found inadequately stored in Saunders' home, office and vehicle, including 500 rounds of .22 calibre ammunition hidden inside a camera bag. A CZ bolt-action rifle was also discovered unsecured in his car during travels in southern WA in January last year. Appearing via video link, Saunders' lawyer Tony Hager asked the court to consider his client's age — 75 — and the fact he had no prior criminal record. In handing down the fine, Mr Potter noted changes to firearm laws since Saunders obtained his licence and said that while the offences were serious, they warranted a financial penalty rather than a jail sentence. More than 1200 rounds of ammunition and a shotgun were allegedly uncovered in Mr Saunders' Broome home in December 2023. The charges are part of a broader WA police investigation into historical child sexual abuse allegations against the 75-year-old. Saunders was first arrested in February last year, after an investigation ordered by the Pope found he likely sexually assaulted four youths, while potentially grooming another 67 over 50 years. He now faces a total of 39 charges, including alleged child sex abuse, firearms offences, and assault, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to. WA Police allege Saunders indecently dealt with a male child between 2009 and 2010, amid a series of charges involving multiple complainants and incidents spanning more than a decade. His arrest in January led to six new charges, including sexual penetration of a child under 13, indecent dealings, and common assault, bringing the total number of charges against him to almost 40. Saunders first drew national attention last year when he became the highest-ranking member of the Catholic Church in Australia to be accused of sex crimes since Cardinal George Pell's acquittal by the High Court in 2020.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Former Wayne County CFO convicted of assault and domestic violence
Tony Saunders II, the former Wayne County Chief Financial Officer arrested twice last year for abusing his wife, was convicted June 13 of assault charges that could put him behind bars. Saunders, who Wayne County Executive Warren Evans has credited with helping the county avoid bankruptcy when he served as the chief financial officer, appeared before Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Nanci Grant and pleaded no contest to a felony charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence, second offense. A no contest plea in a criminal matter is like pleading guilty, but does not count as an admission of guilt in a civil lawsuit. Saunders acknowledged agreeing to the terms of the plea deal that was revealed during the hearing, which was conducted on Zoom, while his victim, Tatiana Grant watched. The Free Press doesn't typically name victims of sexual and domestic violence, but Grant agreed to share her identity with the public to raise awareness of domestic violence issues. Grant called the plea deal "a long overdue step toward justice." "For far too long, Mr. Saunders inflicted harm without consequence," Grant said in a statement. "Today, he is finally being held accountable for his pattern of abuse against women. I sincerely hope that his upcoming sentence, beyond incarceration, is inclusive of mental health treatment." Saunders' attorney Gerald Gleeson said in a statement that "Mr. Saunders feels true remorse and is committed to his recovery. "He resolved the allegations against him today, and he will continue to take the necessary steps of recovery going forward." Saunders was first arrested by Detroit Police on Jan. 10, 2024 after he beat Grant, grabbed her phone so she couldn't call for help, and threatened to kill her, her daughter and himself. Saunders was convicted of domestic violence last year after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge. 'I recall nearly two dozen incidents where he physically assaulted me," Grant told 36th District Court Judge Lynise Bryant at Saunder's sentencing in Detroit. "As a result, I have permanent scars on my face and body." More: Why I went to court for a politico, a pastor and a wannabe Wayne judge Todd Perkins, who was then representing Saunders, told judge Bryant his client was in treatment and was volunteering at Mariners Inn, a residential treatment center for addicts and homeless people located in Midtown Detroit. Bryant sentenced Saunders to two years probation, 80 hours of community service and counseling. Between his arrest and conviction in Detroit, Saunders was arrested in Troy on June 23, 2024 for assaulting Grant in her apartment. The charges in that case revealed that Saunders had a domestic violence incident back in 2004, which put him at risk of a stiffer sentence if convicted of assaulting Grant. According to a PPO application Grant filed last year against Saunders, she picked him up in an Uber on June 23, 2024 after he borrowed her car but couldn't find it. "I could tell by his mannerisms he was under the influence of alcohol," Grant wrote. "He fell asleep on the couch, and I went through his phone. Then I accused him of cheating, consuming alcohol and not taking his mental health medication."She said Saunders "became enraged" and attacked her, punching and choking her. As they fought in her bedroom, knocking over furniture, she tried to stop him, but the fight moved into the living room, then back to the bedroom. She wrote that he banged her head into a wall in a hallway, leaving a hole in the drywall. The hallway is where she told Saunders to call his attorney because she was going to call 911. "Then he said, 'Okay, I am going to kill you,'" Grant wrote, adding that he went to the kitchen in search of a knife. "I had to fight him to prevent him from opening the knife drawers," she wrote. "Because he could not grab the knives, he grabbed a pair of metal tongs to kill himself. He had the tongs in his hands and said, 'I just need my shoes.' " After forcing Saunders out of the apartment, Grant called police. More: My year in review: Exposing politicians playing games and public officials' shame Saunders was charged with felony assault and was scheduled to go on trial June 30, but instead pleaded no contest on June 13 to a felony assault and a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. Gleeson told Grant the sentencing guidelines range from 0 to 17 months behind bars. Saunders' sentencing is scheduled for 11 a.m. on July 23 in Oakland County Circuit Court. Grant said she wants his sentence to include jail time.M.L. Elrick is a Pulitzer Prize- and Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter, director of student investigative reporting program Eye On Michigan, and host of the ML's Soul of Detroit podcast. Contact him at mlelrick@ or follow him on X at @elrick, Facebook at ML Elrick and Instagram at ml_elrick. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Former Wayne County CFO convicted of assault and domestic violence
