Republicans argue that Democrats would try to impeach President Donald Trump if the party takes over the House majority in midterms. State legislators have started fundraising just weeks after the session ended. San Juan County Republicans say new voting districts have disenfranchised their voice.
Happy Monday. Republicans campaigning in midterm elections are trying to stop a potential blue wave in November. And they’ve developed an interesting argument to convince voters: If they lose the majority in the House, they say, Democrats’ first move will be to impeach President Donald Trump. The party thinks it just might work to increase fundraising and potentially gain some moderate votes. [NYTimes]
Topping the news: The 2018 legislative session ended just seven weeks ago, but lawmakers have wasted no time when it comes to campaign fundraising. [Trib]
-> Republicans in San Juan County feel disenfranchised by the new voting boundaries drawn by a federal judge that they say favor Navajo residents. [Trib]
-> Utah students held a town hall to debate gun control. When lawmakers didn’t show up they pleaded with cardboard cutouts of them. [Trib]
Tweet of the day: From @joshscampbell: “A former FBI colleague tonight on the latest round of political attacks: ‘What fresh hell is this?’”
In other news: The number of Utah women carrying concealed guns is quickly growing. For the 30,000 permits issued by the state in 2017, women constituted nearly two-thirds of new holders. [Trib]
-> Here’s a breakdown of the state legislators who passed the most bills this year — and those who passed none. [Fox13]
-> A Davis County Sheriff’s Office business manager was placed on paid leave after another audit into the agency’s finances. [Trib]
-> New research finds that housing along the Wasatch Front is becoming less affordable. [DNews] [KSL]
-> UDOT named a new deputy director — the result of a transportation initiative passed in the Legislature this year. [DNews]
-> Pat Bagley depicts Washington’s “Champagne Swamp.” [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly describes some of the stranger licensing laws that Utah still enforces. [Trib]
-> Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb go through the opposition arguments for legalizing medical marijuana. [DNews]
Nationally: National Security Council spokesman Michael Anton, one of the staunchest advocates of the “America First” policy, announced Sunday that he will leave the White House. [Politico]
-> President Donald Trump wanted to withdraw troops from Syria. Now, after a deadly chemical attack in the country that killed dozens and injured hundreds more, he may reconsider. [NYTimes]
-> The Trump administration is confident that China will not follow up with its threats to impose massive tariffs. [WaPost]
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— Courtney Tanner and Eric Baker