Trump spares a turkey, jokes about overturning Obama’s Thanksgiving pardons. Utah legislative leaders question whether to limit bill files. University of Utah student rally against GOP tax-reform proposals.
Happy Wednesday. “Are you ready, Drumstick?” President Donald Trump asked before pardoning a turkey Tuesday. The White House tradition — granting clemency to a bird (or two) before Thanksgiving — came this year with a few laughs and a couple jabs. Trump joked that he couldn’t rescind the pardons of the turkeys given reprieve under former President Barack Obama. “As many of you know, I have been very active in overturning a number of executive actions by my predecessor,” he said. “However, I have been informed by the White House Counsel’s Office that Tater and Tot’s pardons cannot, under any circumstances, be revoked.” [NYTimes]
Topping the news: Utah legislative leaders are considering a rules change to reduce the number of bill files. [Trib]
-> Animal rights activists rushed Gov. Gary Herbert during the state’s annual turkey pardoning. [Trib] [Fox13]
-> University of Utah students and faculty rallied Tuesday against the Republican tax-reform bills. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @byrdinator: “Reporters: Are Nazis bad? GOP senators: Yes. Trump: Who’s to say? Reporters: Should a sexual predator serve in the Senate? GOP senators: No. Moore should drop out. Trump: Still better than a Democrat lol”
-> From @itrevormoore: “If we lose net neutrality I’m going back to doing whatever I did before the internet. So I hope all my friends are still into flashlight tag.”
Happy Birthday: To SLC Planning Commission member Matt Lyon. On Friday to Gary Webster, district director for Rep. Chris Stewart, and Randy O’Hara. On Saturday to Michael Mitchell and Weber County Commissioner Kerry Gibson. And on Sunday to former state Rep. Tim Cosgrove.
Programming note: Political Cornflakes will be off Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving but back in your inboxes and on your computer screens bright and early Monday morning.
In other news: Forty-five Utah volunteers, including Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, spent five days in Puerto Rico distributing supplies after a devastating hurricane. [Trib] [ABC4] [KUER]
-> During a ceremony at the Aerospace Museum at Hill Air Force Base, 35 individuals were sworn in as new U.S. citizens. [Trib]
-> Rep. Chris Stewart asked that the names of all congressional members accused of sexual misconduct be released. [DNews]
-> Pat Bagley compares net neutrality to parking a car. [Trib]
Nationally: Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai proposed repealing Obama-era net neutrality rules. [NYTimes]
-> President Donald Trump defended U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore, who has been accused of sexual misconduct. [Politico]
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— Courtney Tanner and Karenna Meredith