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Political Cornflakes: Trump says Mueller investigation is about helping Democrats win midterm elections

President Donald Trump waves as he arrives at the White House in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018, after spending the weekend at his golf club in Bedminster, N.J. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Trump says Mueller investigation is about helping Democrats win midterm elections. Interior cancels BLM proposal to sell off lands in southern Utah. FEC receives complaints on Love and McAdams.

Happy Monday. President Donald Trump charged this morning that special counsel Robert Mueller and his investigators “are looking to impact” this November’s midterm elections, labeling them a “national disgrace.” Trump’s tweet is just the latest salvo aimed at Mueller’s team for what he says is an unfair investigation by Democrats for losing the presidential race. [Politico]

Topping the news: The Interior Department canceled a proposal from the Bureau of Land Management that would have allowed the sale of more than 1,600 acres inside the previous boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, reversing part of a management plan for the land that President Donald Trump removed from monument status last year. [Trib] [Fox13]

-> The Federal Election Commission received complaints alleging that both major party candidates in the 4th congressional district race, incumbent GOP Rep. Mia Love and Democratic SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams, are using illegal campaign donations. [Trib] [DNews]

-> One year into Operation Rio Grande, activists are urging Gov. Herbert and other state lawmakers to focus on affordable housing as a way to reduce homelessness. [Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @petridishes: “ah yes the classic ‘my client will not testify because there is no such thing as objective reality’ defense”

-> From @jonallendc: “Stunned by the number of people, including Rudy Giuliani, who confess the belief that anyone in politics would take stolen information from an adversarial foreign government to win an election. In this view, there are no means to victory that are not justified by victory.”

-> From @morningmoneyben: “No NFL player has ever protested the national anthem. I wish people would stop saying they have. It’s so lazy.”

Happy Birthday: To Gov. Gary Herbert’s deputy chief of staff Mike Mower and deputy director of communications for the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office Holly Mullen.

In other news: Actor and comedian David Cross, who is performing at the University of Utah’s Kingsbury Hall this week, faced heavy criticism and accusations of religious bigotry after he tweeted a picture of himself in Mormon temple garments. [Trib] [Fox13]

-> The initial reaction on social media to the LDS Church’s announcement that “Mormon” and “LDS” are no longer acceptable nicknames mainly consisted of surprise and amusement. [Trib]

-> A public relations professional called the change “an opportunity for the church to rebrand itself” at a “pivotal time.” [Trib]

-> Members of the West Valley City community came together over the weekend to offer a one-stop back-to-school shop for Redwood Elementary students, 80 percent of whom live at or below the poverty level. [Trib]

-> Pat Bagley depicts Trump’s selling of land that was previously part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. [Trib]

-> Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb look at the politics of wildfires and discuss the impacts of Operation Rio Grande. [DNews]

Nationally: During an appearance on NBC News' “Meet the Press,” former CIA director John O. Brennan said he would be willing to take President Donald Trump to court for revoking his security credentials. [WaPost] [NBC]

-> On the same show, Rudy Giuliani, the president’s lawyer, argued that “truth isn’t truth” while explaining why Trump shouldn’t testify for special counsel Robert Mueller. [Politico]

-> Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, is being investigated for bank and tax fraud on more than $20 million in loans taken out by taxi businesses that he and his family own. [NYTimes] [CNN]

-> Democrats are looking to win back Pennsylvania in the midterm elections, a state the Trump won in 2016. [NYTImes]

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Send us a note to cornflakes@sltrib.com.

-- Thomas Burr and Connor Richards

Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/crichards1995