White House unveils traditional holiday decorations one year after Trump campaigned against the “War on Christmas.” Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke organizes his department with a military strategy. Thousands of ballots were rejected in the special congressional election this year.
Happy Tuesday. When he was campaigning last year, President Donald Trump promised to end the so-called “War on Christmas.” So how is the White House decorated this year? With a smattering of Christmas trees and traditional wreaths, ornaments and candy canes. And what about the Trump family holiday card? It says “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” where the Obama family had “Season’s Greetings.” [WaPost]
Topping the news: Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke uses his military background — and 23 knives — to inform how he organizes his department. [Trib]
-> Thousands of mail-in ballots were rejected in the special 3rd District election with errors ranging from residents forgetting to sign them to postmarking them too late to mailing in a vote for a dead person. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @GPollowitz: “Prince Harry’s kids will be Americans. What if one grows up to be president and is in line for the throne at the same time? Brits are playing long-ball here, but it’s a smart move. They want America back and this is how they’ll do it.”
-> From @MEPFuller: “I basically just imagine James O’Keefe walking around places with a huge microphone in his shirt pocket that is disguised as a flower, fooling absolutely no one.”
Happy Birthday: To Temma Martin and former state Rep. Janice Fisher.
In other news: A state task force proposed eliminating the Utah Transit Authority board and CEO while making the agency eligible for state funds. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Ahead of the 2018 legislative session, Utah lawmakers are unsure about how they’d like to change the state’s tax code. [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly examines the continued secrecy with Utah attorney general’s office over an opinion about the special election. [Trib]
-> Robert Gehrke argues to keep the current net neutrality rule. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley responds to the New York Time’s profile of a white nationalist and Nazi sympathizer. [Trib]
Nationally: The GOP’s tax plan will go before the Senate this week, leaving Republican lawmakers scrambling to resolve concerns. [NYTimes]
-> A woman appears to have approached The Washington Post lodging false accusations against U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore in an attempt to embarrass or discredit the publication. [WaPost]
-> During a ceremony to honor Navajo code talkers, President Donald Trump stood in front of a painting of former president Andrew Jackson and again referred to Sen. Elizabeth Warren as “Pocahontas.” [WaPost]
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— Courtney Tanner and Karenna Meredith
