Republicans in Congress don’t want to highlight immigration as they battle to keep their seats this fall. But they may not have a choice, amid a series of court rulings expected in the coming weeks on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and on separated migrant families — which may further highlight the party’s lack of unity on immigration. “The issue is not going to go away,” one Republican said after a GOP immigration bill failed in the house last week. [Politico]
Happy Monday!
Topping the news: President Donald Trump called Sen. Mike Lee “an outstanding talent,” but wouldn’t say whether he would select him to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. [Trib] [KUTV] [KUER]
-> Drug Safe Utah, a group opposed to a ballot initiative that looks to legalize medical marijuana in the state, filed a motion arguing Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox should be blocked from placing the measure on the ballot because it would harm Utahns. [Trib]
-> Two in every three Utah voters support the medical marijuana initiative, according to a new Salt Lake Tribune-Hinckley Institute of Politics poll. [Trib]
-> An estimated 2,500 people rallied at the Utah State Capitol on Saturday to protest the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants. [Trib] [Fox13] [ABC4]
Tweets of the weekend: From @BenWinslow : “Anyone tried those new scooters all over downtown SLC on a ride up Capitol Hill yet? Asking for a friend.”
-> From @Ethan_Booker: "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is not a True New Yorker. She was never a member of The Warriors. She was never imprisoned with Snake Plissken. She is not a sentient slice of pizza. She does not say ‘I’m walkin here’ upwards of ten times per day.“
-> From @DGComedy: “I’m in Mexico right now and today happens to be their Presidential election. On a Sunday. So everyone can vote. Not just the people who can afford to take the day or a few hours off work. That’s how voting should work.”
Happy Birthday: To state Rep. Stewart Barlow, state Senate Minority Leader Gene Davis and Ori Hoffer, a former Park City Television news director.
In other news: Citing the recent federal court ruling against Trump for blocking people on Twitter who criticize him, a Utah man has filed a lawsuit claiming a number of local government social-media sites have censored him. [Trib]
-> First Step House, an addiction-recovery center in Salt Lake City, launched a new program with Salt Lake County that looks to improve hiring opportunities for people recovering from substance abuse and behavioral health disorders. [Trib]
-> A recently released study from the University of Utah found growing evidence that high altitude is “specifically associated with increased risk of suicide and depression.” [Trib]
-> Liberal billionaire Tom Steyer, who is on a 30-city tour aimed at generating support for Trump’s impeachment, held a town hall in Salt Lake City on Friday. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley has a new nickname for President Trump’s White House. [Trib]
-> With July 4 around the corner, Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb give their take on the current state of America. [DNews]
Nationally: Growing liberal outrage, fueled by Justice Kennedy’s retirement and controversial federal immigration policies, has Democrats scrambling to figure out their campaign strategies ahead of November’s midterm election. [WaPost]
-> Canada confirmed it has imposed $12.5 billion worth of tariffs on various American exports, including steel, toffee, maple syrup and coffee beans, in retaliation to US steel and aluminum tariffs. [CNN]
-> Despite that and the European Union’s condemnation of Trump’s trade policy — calling it “a tax on the American people” — the president is standing by his recently-imposed tariffs as trade tensions escalate. [WaPost]
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-- Taylor Stevens and Connor Richards
Follow @sltribpolitics