A look at Trump’s schedule: Blocks of ‘Executive Time,” i.e. space for tweeting and cable news. Why Romney may run for the Senate. Trump encourages Romney to run.
Happy Monday. President Donald Trump starts his day with “Executive Time” in the White House residence, code words for time he spends tweeting, watching cable news and phoning friends. He then make his way to the Oval Office for a security briefing around 11 a.m., often followed by more “Executive Time.” [Axios]
Topping the news: While Mitt Romney is considering a Senate bid, here’s why he might — or might not — decide to run. [Trib]
-> A source close to the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump called Romney on Thursday and encouraged him to run for Senate in the wake of Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch’s retirement. [Trib]
-> A far-right super PAC that supported Alabama Republican Roy Moore in his Senate race amid sexual misconduct allegations is attempting to raise money for Utah Rep. Mia Love to run for the Senate and block Mitt Romney. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @StephenAtHome: “One of the most surprising parts of ‘Fire and Fury’ is how Donald Trump accidentally started a national book club.“
-> From @MitchellReports: “New Year’s resolutions: exercise more, get more sleep, become a ‘stable genius’ …”
-> From @PalmerReport: “‘I am not a genius’ — Albert Einstein ‘I’m not a genius’ — Steve Jobs ‘I’m a very stable genius’ — Donald Trump”
Happy birthday: To Ashley DiAna Lucas and Jordan Garn.
-> In other news: Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, called for Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ resignation Friday, saying Sessions has hindered the Justice Department’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election by recusing himself from the probe. [Trib] [DNews] [KSL]
-> Utah lawmakers are mourning the loss of Matt Hillyard, the 42-year-old son of Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, who died Thursday morning. Matt had Down syndrome and was a friend to many governors, lawmakers and reporters at the Utah Capitol. [Trib]
-> SLC Mayor Jackie Biskupski reflected on her successes and setbacks at the midpoint of her first term. She’s given herself an A-. [Trib]
-> Utah Republican Party Chairman Rob Anderson sent an email to potential candidates this week, offering a phone app that can help them identify household party support as they are gathering signatures. He faces backlash from conservatives who want a full return to the caucus-convention system. [Trib]
->The Kaysville City Council voted to publicly condemn Councilman Dave Adams, who’s being investigated for alleged extortion, and asked for his resignation Thursday. [Trib] [DNews]
-> A study funded by the Legislature found that the population in Salt Lake and Utah counties is growing while the population in the Utah State Prison is decreasing. [Trib]
-> Utah lawmakers are working on a bill that would incentivize cities to zone for more affordable housing. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley depicts the similarities between plantations and private prisons. [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly looks at the two candidates running to replace the recently resigned Rep. Dean Sanpei in District 63: district GOP chairman Leo Lines and Adam Robertson. [Trib]
-> Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb examine how Hatch’s resignation could affect politics in Utah. [DNews]
Nationally: Former White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon tried to walk back fiery comments he made — part of a new book — about the Trump family. [NYTimes]
-> President Donald Trump defended his mental fitness after a wave of criticism brought on by a new tell-all book about the White House. He tweeted that he is a “very stable genius.” [WaPost]
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— Thomas Burr, Courtney Tanner and Madalyn Gunnell
Twitter.com/thomaswburr, Twitter.com/CourtneyLTanner and Twitter.com/madmcgunnell
