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.

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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.

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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.

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HOST: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; Greg Hughes, Former House Speaker/KNRS

Special guest: Former SLCPD Chief Chris Burbank

• Kamala Harris weighs run for governor or another presidential bid
• National Security Advisor Mike Waltz out – nominated to represent the US at the United Nations
• Utah GOP Leadership Elections coming up in a couple weeks
• United Utah, Forward Party merge
• 146,000+ signatures verified for the referendum to overturn a Utah bill restricting bargaining rights for unions
• USU Pres. Cantwell spent $660K on new cars, SLC apt., office bidet per SLTRIB reporting  
• Governors of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming sign tri-state agreement to strengthen regional energy collaboration
• Trump’s first 100 days
• Border Security, drug/human/oil flow, and cartels with Special guest Former SLCPD Police Chief Chris Burbank

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