Donald J. Trump predicts his push to release internal FBI documents and texts will go a long way to exposing the “hoax” that is the FBI investigation of Russian collusion in the 2016 election.
Happy Wednesday. Proving the probe is a fraud will be among the “crowning achievements” of his presidency, Trump declared in an exclusive interview with The Hill newspaper. He also said his only regret in firing former FBI Director James Comey was not doing it sooner — perhaps even before he took office. [Hill]
Topping the news: In the intersection between Utah’s two most exciting election contests, The Tribune pressed 4th District candidates Rep. Mia Love and Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams on their stands on Proposition 2, legalizing medical marijuana. McAdams will vote yes and Love is undecided. [Trib]
-> Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski left the City Council meeting Tuesday early and gave an impromptu speech outside of the council’s chambers proclaiming claimed legislation that created the Utah Inland Port Authority is “unconstitutional” and will see its date in court. [Trib]
-> The Ponzi scheme fraud case of investment guru and former “free capitalist” radio personality Rick Koerber is in the hands of jurors. Again. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @aedwardslevy: “lol remember the op-ed”.
-> From @JessicaVelenti: “How can we credibly tell American women that they are full and equal members of society if two of the people making decisions about their constitutional rights are sexual abusers?”
-> From @PressSec: “Now clear why top Democrat on Senate Judiciary Committee did nothing with allegation for months or even ask Judge Kavanaugh about it: Senator Feinstein just said “I can’t say everything’s truthful.””
Happy Birthday: to Kristen Cox, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, and Sheena McFarland, associate director at the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business and former Trib reporter.
In other news: The Department of Homeland Security will require Utah to reissue all of its licenses by October of 2020 with a gold star on the front indicating that their birth certificates or passports were reviewed confirming that they are a US citizen. Individuals without the star will need a passport in order to get through the airport. [Trib]
-> $553 million in taxes have gone unpaid by delinquent taxpayers over the past five years, at least in part because the agency laid off five collection agents. [Trib][DNews]
-> The Unified Fire Authority is contemplating seeking a civil settlement with former top officials after a criminal investigation of allegedly misused funds ended with no charges last week. [Trib][DNews]
-> Clean air ordinances in Utah cities don’t have teeth, but mayors in 71 cities around Utah have joined Gov. Gary Herbert’s push to get residents to go “idle free.” [Fox13]
-> The Point of the Mountain Development Commission on Tuesday discussed possible expansion of TRAX, road modifications and more. [DNews]
-> Tribune columnist Robert Gehrke believes that the Kavanaugh-Ford hearings will be more about politics than uncovering the truth, but that the public deserves to hear from the Supreme Court nominee and his accuser. [Trib]
-> ICYMI. Pignanelli and Webb analyzed some legislative races worth watching. [DNews]
-> Pat Bagley illustrated the “he-said” “she-said” of the Judge Brett Kavanaugh sexual assault hearings. [Trib]
Nationally: Mark Judge, accused of helping Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh assault Christine Blasey Ford nearly 40 years ago has denied allegations, stating that it would have been out of character for the Catholic boys at their high school in the 80s. His memoirs say differently, however, and he has often depicted the school as a place where alcohol and hormones were overflowing. [TribviaWaPost][Politico]
-> President Trump decided to raise tariffs on Chinese imports, effective Sept. 24 — a move that could drive up the cost of everyday goods by 10 percent. [Politico]
-> Trump’s tax cuts have been a hit among Republicans, but his raising of tariffs in international trade are unpopular among Democrats, many Independents, and even some Republican Party leaders in Washington. [NYTimes]
-> Refugees let into the United States this year will be capped at 30,000, down from 45,000 last year, 50,000 the year before, and around 84,000 prior to that. [BBC]
-> As his term as California’s governor comes to a close this January, Jerry Brown will be going out with a bang after his climate conference this past week. [NYTimes]
-> On Tuesday the Trump administration put an end to a regulation which prevents methane expulsion during oil and gas operations -- a policy in place to help slow global warming. [NYTimes]
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-- Dan Harrie and Cara MacDonald
https://twitter.com/danattrib and Twitter.com/carammacdonald
Follow @sltribpolitics