not invited to the televised debates. After being informed that he would not be allowed to participate in a scheduled Fox News debate in Cleveland on August 6, 2015, Everson filed a formal complaint with the Federal Election Commission, arguing that Fox News had violated election laws by failing to adhere to consistent criteria in determining which candidates would make the debate stage. Fox News originally stated that candidates must be polling at 1 percent in an average of five national polls to participate, but did away with the standard a week before the scheduled debate. On August 7, 2015, the Cleveland Plain Dealer ran an op-ed arguing that Everson should have been included in the 5 p.m. debate. While on the campaign trail, Everson was one of the earliest critics of eventual Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. After Trump's presidential announcement, Everson called for Trump to drop out of the race; he asserted that comments made by Trump about Mexican immigrants "'divide at a time when we need to unite and reinforce our proud tradition of assimilation'". Everson put almost $400,000 of his own money into the campaign and raised approximately $100,000. On November 5, 2015, Everson withdrew from the race, citing lack of funds, non-inclusion in debates, and scarce media attention as factors in his decision. In June 2016, before the Republican convention, Everson stated that he could neither "get on board" with Trump nor "look the other way." He condemned the candidate's policy proposals as "reckless, be they stripping trillions in revenues from the Treasury ... or countenancing nuclear proliferation to name two of the worst." Everson wrote that "the deplorable demeanor he has deliberately cultivated over decades" disqualifies Trump from public service and that "his campaign is more than divisive; particularly for our young it is destructive and even frightening." Further reading Crenshaw, Albert B. "IRS to Tell Taxpayers Of Frozen Refunds", Washingtonpost.com. Page D01. January 25, 2006. Block, Sandra. "IRS Quietly Freezes Many Refunds", USA Today. January 10, 2006. "Everson: IRS Will Review Frozen Refund Program" "I.R.S. Going Slow Before Election" Footnotes Notes References This article incorporates information from the United States Internal Revenue Service. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain. External links Red Cross Official website Interview with new American Red Cross CEO Mark Everson Everson's Presidential Campaign Website 1954 births Living people 21st-century American politicians