Newly revealed documents expose that two 2023 Utah Oath Keepers leadership meetings included former law enforcement, a current prosecutor, and a former elected official. These meetings, focusing on training and the role of armed responders, highlight the group’s ties to conservative politics and law enforcement. Despite Stewart Rhodes’s January 6th conviction (since commuted), the Utah chapter actively rebuilt, demonstrating the organization’s resilience. The involvement of individuals with law enforcement and legal backgrounds raises concerns about the group’s continued influence and potential for future activity.
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The Supreme Court rejected Utah’s attempt to seize control of vast federal lands, delivering a victory for conservationists concerned about similar state-level challenges. The court’s decision, issued without explanation, halts Utah’s lawsuit seeking control of nearly half its federally managed land, an area comparable in size to South Carolina. This action comes amidst a Republican-controlled Congress’s adoption of rules potentially facilitating public land transfer or sale, raising further concerns about privatization and environmental degradation. While Utah leaders expressed disappointment, they indicated intent to pursue alternative legal avenues and collaboration with the federal government. Conservation groups, however, remain vigilant, prepared to contest any future efforts to diminish federal land protections.
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Warren Upton, the last surviving USS Utah crewman and oldest Pearl Harbor attack survivor, passed away at 105 from pneumonia. He vividly recalled the attack, describing the initial torpedo strikes and his subsequent escape to Ford Island. Upton’s death leaves only fifteen remaining Pearl Harbor survivors from the estimated 87,000 military personnel present that day. His passing marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering remembrance.
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John Q. Hosedrinker