HOST: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello Exoro Group and John Dougal Former State Auditor

Utah’s Death Penalty Front and Center:

• Friday – Accused Tremonton Shooter makes 1st court appearance with face death penalty after shooting and killing 2 Tremonton Officers
• Utah Supreme Court heard last Ralph Menzies Appeal – Menzies is scheduled to die September 5th just after midnight
• Firing Squad Execution after 38 years of appeals -Sentenced to die by firing squad for the 1986 kidnapping and murder of 26-year-old Maurine Hunsaker
• Should Utah keep the death penalty when cases drag on for decades

Texas House approves new GOP congressional maps after 2-week delay

• This comes after Utah Dems Join Texas Dems protesting redistricting at Legislative conference

https://kutv.com/news/local/utah-democrats-join-texas-lawmakers-in-redistricting-protest

• Utah awaits state Court ruling on Utah redistricting fight

Newsom Signs California Redistricting Plan to Counter Texas Republicans

• Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic state lawmakers moved quickly to create new districts that could help their party flip five congressional seats. Their plan still requires voter approval. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/us/politics/california-newsom-redistricting-texas.html

Calls for Utah Senate President to Resign for personal influence over sexual assault bill passed in 2024

                Calls for change, but what change

               Should legislators disclose or not to disclose reason for backing and running bills

https://kutv.com/news/politics/governor-spencer-cox-defends-senate-president-adams-amid-calls-for-resignation#

Trump to Sign Mail-in Ballots Executive Order

• Mike Lee backs the idea “As President Trump has made clear, it’s time to end mail-in voting Utah should lead the way on this Other states will follow” https://x.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1957913877494288666

Utah Primary Municipal Election

• HB300 unintended consequences signatures and ID digits

 DC is now under Federal control for policing

• John Curtis –“Sadly, during my time in office, I’ve seen growing violence and a troubling decline in public safety for both my staff and visitors. I’m hopeful that new measures will help restore safety, respect, and accountability — building a community where families can thrive and everyone can walk its streets without fear.”

Utah Sheriff’s concerned about ICE luring away their deputies with big bonuses

• Sheriffs across the State of Utah are concerned about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)'s latest recruitment tactic of sending letters to deputies and others who have trained with ICE under local agreements—seemingly trying to poach local law enforcement.
• Kane County Sheriff Tracy Glover, the president of the Utah Sheriffs Association, said ICE is trying to convince deputies to work for the agency using signing bonuses and other incentives.
• After multiple departments entered into agreements with ICE to work more closely together under the 287(G) program, deputies began receiving recruitment letters in their inboxes, something local departments did not appreciate. https://kutv.com/news/local/utah-sheriffs-criticize-ice-for-classless-recruitment-of-local-deputies

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Take 2 Podcast | June 12

With Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello (Exoro Group)

Greg Hughes (KNRS, former House Speaker)

Israel Strikes Iran

• Israeli military launches targeted strike on Iranian facilities.
• U.S. not involved but on alert for retaliation.

Judge: Trump Acted Illegally

• Court rules Trump’s National Guard deployment to LA was unconstitutional.
• National Guard Troop control must return to Gov. Newsom.
• Newsom: “Democracy is next.”

Protests in Utah

• Anti-ICE protest happening now in Salt Lake City.
• Statewide rallies expected for “No Kings Day” on Saturday.
• Gov. Cox, Mayor Mendenhall warn against violence but support peaceful protest.
• Flashback: 2020 protest fallout resurfaces—Sim Gill questioned SLC’s lack of police response in 2020.

SLC Council Race Heats Up

• Liddy Huntsman, daughter of former Gov. Jon Huntsman, joins the race.

AI Moratorium Fight

• Utah lawmakers oppose pause on AI development in the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
• Concerns over innovation and economic growth raised.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week’s episode of the Take 2 Podcast, Heidi Hatch is joined by Maura Carabello of the Exoro Group and KNRS host and former House Speaker Greg Hughes to break down a busy week in politics, from national feuds to shifting Utah leadership.

The Trump–Musk Bromance Ends

What began as a mutual admiration between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has unraveled in public view. Musk recently criticized the federal deficit, saying, “We have a $2 trillion deficit. It keeps growing. Our interest payments are higher than our defense department budget.” That didn’t sit well with Trump. While the split has sparked national chatter, Utah Sen. Mike Lee tried to play peacemaker, saying simply, “But I really like both of them.”

New Leadership in Utah’s House GOP

Following a special election, Utah House Republicans selected a new leadership team:

• Speaker: Mike Schultz
• Majority Leader: Casey Snider
• Majority Whip: Candice Pierucci
• Assistant Whip: Bridger Bolinder

Utah Democrats Elect New Party Leaders

Roughly 1,400 delegates, both in person and remote, participated in the Utah Democratic Party’s convention over the weekend. Former lawmaker and 2024 gubernatorial candidate Brian King was elected party chair. Other leadership includes:

• Vice Chair: Susan Merrill
• Secretary: Brad Dickter
• Treasurer: Catherine Voutaz

King, who spent 16 years in the Utah Legislature, will now steer the party into 2026 and beyond.

GOP Lawmakers Threaten Legislation Over Pride Month

Utah Jazz and the Utah Mammoth celebrating Pride Month sparked pushback from some Republican lawmakers. Rep. Trevor Lee posted on X, “Nothing makes Utahns more mad when political ideologies get pushed into their lives Watch for some significant legislation this next session that pushes back onto these woke groups!” The debate centers on whether tax dollars should support private entities that publicly support LGBTQ+ causes.

Cox Appoints Former Reyes Aide to Lead Records Office

Gov. Spencer Cox named Lonny Pehrson to lead Utah’s new Government Records Office. Pehrson previously served in the Attorney General’s Office and was involved in efforts to keep AG Sean Reyes’ calendar from public disclosure, raising concerns from transparency advocates.

Utah Supreme Court Justice to Step Down

Justice John Pearce will leave the bench in December after a decade on the state’s high court. In his resignation, Pearce said he plans to return to private practice and continue teaching at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law. Cox will appoint a replacement from a list of seven candidates provided by the Appellate Nominating Commission. Senate confirmation is required.

ATVs Return to Glen Canyon

Off-road vehicles are officially back at Glen Canyon after former President Trump signed a resolution overturning a National Park Service rule. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Celeste Maloy and Sens. John Curtis and Mike Lee, restores ATV access to 24 miles of park roads.

Phil Lyman Teases 'Major Announcement'

Utah Rep. Phil Lyman hinted at a big development as a public interest group from the East Coast plans to file a lawsuit in the state.

Listen to the full episode of the Take 2 Podcast for in-depth commentary from Heidi, Maura, and Greg.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert joined former CIA Director and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday at the Crossroads of the World International Trade Summit.

The two shared a wide-ranging discussion on trade, immigration, and global power dynamics.

The invite-only event, sponsored by Zions Bank and World Trade Center Utah, focused heavily on international trade and ongoing tariff negotiations with the Trump White House. Leaders from around the globe gathered in Salt Lake City to explore Utah’s growing influence on the international stage.

Pompeo, who supports President Donald Trump, said he remains concerned about the long-term impact of tariffs.

“President Trump hasn’t been clear about his overall strategic objective here,” he said, referring to the escalating trade measures involving nearly every major economy.

Herbert said Utah is well-positioned to navigate trade challenges on a state level, but acknowledged the uncertainty is troubling.

He also touched on divisions within the Republican Party, especially over trade, noting there are many in the GOP who support Trump but disagree with some of his economic policies.

Herbert said his conversation with Pompeo also included discussions on Israel, Russia, China, and other global powers. The two also shared perspectives on U.S. immigration policy, an issue Herbert says Congress has failed to seriously address.

“What happens, unfortunately, in my view, is we have too many in Congress setting aside solving a problem as a top priority to getting re-elected as the number one priority — and then they get re-elected, but the people suffer,” Herbert said.

On border security, Herbert stressed the need for a “working door” to allow legal entry after the border is secured. He also defended Utah’s reputation as a welcoming state, referencing the Utah Compact, a set of principles focused on humane and practical immigration reform.

When asked directly whether Utah has become a sanctuary state, Herbert was clear: “Utah is not a sanctuary state.”

The former governor also highlighted the work of the Herbert Institute, which is currently focused on researching the use of artificial intelligence in Utah businesses.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.