Trump suggests to friends that a government shutdown might be useful for him — and he could blame Democrats. Documents show that Trump will reduce Bears Ears National Monument by 85 percent. Sen. Orrin Hatch touts Trump as “one of the best.”
Happy Friday. President Donald Trump has suggested to confidants that a government shutdown might be useful and good for him — and that he would place the blame on Democrats. He’s got one week left until the government runs out of money, though lawmakers seem hopeful they’ll reach a compromise. “When you run for office and you get elected and you are given the opportunity to govern, it strikes me as a bad idea to shut the government down. That seems like an abdication of responsibility,” said Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. [WaPost]
Topping the news: President Donald Trump plans to reduce Bears Ears National Monument by 85 percent, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13] [KUTV] [KUER] [ABC4]
-> Project Veritas, the group possibly behind the sting attempts at The Washington Post, is seeking donations in Utah — even though it’s not allowed to. [Trib] [KUER]
-> Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Trump is “one of the best” presidents he’s seen in office. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @polguru: “length of service in the Trump Administration should be measured in dog years”
-> From @claire_mcandrew: “Bedtime in Washington: Goodnight moon. Goodnight room. Goodnight people trying to rewrite a 400-page tax bill by 11 AM.”
Happy Birthday: On Sunday to Travis Webb in Rep. Chris Stewart’s office.
Behind the Headlines: Tribune reporters Courtney Tanner and Lee Davidson, Washington Bureau Chief Thomas Burr and columnist Robert Gehrke join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about the week’s top stories, including Trump’s trip to Utah and politicians’ experiences with sexual harassment. Each Friday morning, stream “Behind the Headlines” online at kcpw.org or tune in to KCPW 88.3 FM or Utah Public Radio for the broadcast.
In other news: South Salt Lake police Chief Jack Carruth credited DNA information for providing a snapshot of what the killer may have looked like in the unsolved 2010 murder of Sherry Black. [Trib] [ABC4] [KUTV] [DNews] [Fox13]
-> Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal launched his campaign for Salt Lake County sheriff. [Trib] [ABC4]
-> Salt Lake City’s Human Rights Commission met with Mayor Jackie Biskupski and expressed concern over her recent dismissal of the woman who directed the city’s Office of Diversity and Human Rights. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley suggests the GOP wants to trick, not treat, the middle class with its tax-reform plan. [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly examines the claims white southern Utah leaders are making about being pushed off their land. [Trib]
Nationally: Republican lawmakers are scrambling to make last-minute changes to their tax-reform proposal before an anticipated vote today. [NYTimes]
-> Mike Pompeo, CIA director under President Donald Trump, is apparently being tapped to take over as secretary of state with the White House looking to oust Rex Tillerson. [WaPost]
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— Courtney Tanner and Karenna Meredith