If President Trump interviews with special counsel Mueller, how many questions could he answer in two hours? This analysis estimates between 100 and 300. House Speaker Paul Ryan plans to visit Salt Lake City to speak at an event honoring Sen. Orrin Hatch. Ben McAdams says he would not support Nancy Pelosi for speakership if Democrats win back the House.
Happy Friday. If President Donald Trump were to interview with special counsel Robert Mueller, his attorney says he could participate for “max, two to three hours.” How many questions, then, could the president answer in that time frame? It depends on which Trump you’re getting. During a 30-minute interview on Fox News last week, the president responded to the hosts 98 times (including one-word responses and greetings). But his answers were longer and more detailed. During a 90-minute deposition for a legal dispute over the restaurants at his hotel when Trump was a candidate, he responded 412 times, answering curtly and briefly and not offering much elaboration. So, if he’s meeting with Mueller for two hours, according to analysis from The Washington Post, Trump could field 100 questions at Fox News length or 300 at deposition length. [WaPost]
Topping the news: Republican Rep. Mia Love has tried to link Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, her Democratic opponent in the 4th Congressional District race, to Nancy Pelosi, but McAdams said Thursday that if he were elected, he would not support the minority leader for the speakership if the party wins back control of the House in November. [Trib]
-> A coalition of organizations representing doctors, conservative activists and narcotics officers have hired a team of canvassers to convince Utah voters who signed a medical marijuana ballot initiative to remove their names. [Trib]
-> House Speaker Paul Ryan will speak in Salt Lake City next month at an event honoring Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @pourmecoffee: “Your grandkids are going to have to know Stormy Daniels real name was Stephanie Clifford for AP History.”
-> From @mattizcoop: “Thinking Trump might have been better off with LegalZoom.”
Happy Birthday: On Saturday to former state Rep. Brad Dee and Taylorsville Community Development Director Mark McGrath. And on Sunday to state Sen. J. Stuart Adams.
Behind the Headlines: Tribune reporter Emma Penrod, Washington bureau chief Thomas Burr, government and politics editor Dan Harrie, senior managing editor Matt Canham and columnist Paul Rolly join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about the week’s top stories, including the EPA-imposed deadline to address Utah’s ozone problem and a police officer’s journey to healing. Each Friday at 9 a.m., 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: State Rep. Mike Schultz expressed disbelief that the outgoing president and CEO of the Utah Transit Authority will be receiving a severance package worth roughly $280,000. Now, the Utah Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the situation. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Retired military officials, including one in Utah, continue to voice concern over appointing Gina Haspel to head the CIA. [Trib]
-> The Utah Board of Education approved a new grant program Thursday that is intended to fund partnerships between the state’s school districts and mental health agencies. [Trib]
-> The Planned Parenthood of Utah is joining two other affiliates to sue the Trump administration for policies that are “designed to disadvantage reproductive health care providers.” [APviaTrib] [ABC4]
-> The INN Between, a hospice for the homeless with terminal illnesses, is expanding and will move into a larger building in downtown Salt Lake City. [Trib]
-> The Sandy City Council unanimously passed a measure this week to ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores within city limits. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley depicts the Utah Jazz and the cast of “Hamilton” sharing the stage in Salt Lake City. [Trib]
Nationally: President Donald Trump announced that he intends to expand grants and partnerships with faith-based groups in a Rose Garden ceremony Thursday. [Trib]
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— Courtney Tanner and Eric Baker
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