Seven more years of President Donald Trump? Utah could burst his balloon
The deeply religious state backed Mr Trump in the presidential election but some are uncomfortable with his conduct.
Friday 19 January 2018 16:13, UK
Donald Trump brought a megaphone to Washington and his voice hasn’t dimmed.
There have been promises delivered, promises broken and those not yet realised.
One thing is for sure, however distasteful the establishment may find his methods, however indignant even some of his own party might appear at times, Donald J Trump shows no sign of changing.
And he may well be in charge for another seven years.
He kicked off his presidency with the controversy he campaigned on; an ill-fated executive order on immigration.
But one year on, there has been a significant rise in immigration-related arrests. In the Supreme Court, Mr Trump secured a more lasting legacy, one that could help the Republican agenda for decades to come.
There have been plenty of surprises; from unexpected military action in Syria, to "Rocket Man" exchanges with North Korea's leader and the firing of the head of the FBI.
:: Trump: His first year in power
But one issue that the administration can and will keep coming back to is the economy.
The political landscape seems etched with extremes, but in the furnaces, factories and foothills of Utah, I found something far subtler that I think helps explain part of the president’s enduring appeal despite low approval ratings.
Utah is a deeply religious state. It is 60% Mormon and the church is anti-gay marriage and pro-life.
The state is reliably Republican and ultimately they backed Donald Trump.
At a funeral for their prophet though, many people told me they were uncomfortable about the president’s conduct and rhetoric around women. After all, this is a state built on religious exiles.
The reality is, they’re involved in a telling trade-off. Utah is known as the Beehive State for its industrious people.
Todd Bingham, president of the Utah Manufacturers Association, told me that the president is approaching manufacturing and construction in the way Utah has for decades.
“We’ve been aggressive on being open to business, letting the private sector drive things and I think the President’s vision echoes that," he said.
He cautions though that the state also “has a love/hate relationship with him.”
The thing that struck me is that everywhere we visited we met people willing to shelve their discomfort about Mr Trump’s language in order to further their policy goals - something I’ve heard in many parts of the country.
Republican congressman Christopher Stewart tried to offer a defence and a tip.
“The president isn’t a racist," he said.
"I’ve gotten to know him…If I could say one thing to him it’s think about what you’re saying."
Everyone in American politics already has their eyes on the mid-terms in November. In Utah. Some hope a returning Mitt Romney might balance the president out or perhaps even be a thorn in his side.
In the pristine southern reaches of the state, Mr Trump plans to shrink the size of Bears Ears National Monument.
Intriguingly, even some balloonists I spoke to there liked the idea of more state control, despite opposition from environmentalists.
It was a window into the West and beyond the Washington bubble.
The election may have been played out in technicolor but feelings towards Donald Trump are not just black and white. That could be the secret of his success in 2020.
As one woman told me: "If I was having a dinner party, I’d want Barack Obama to come over.
"If I want decisions made, I’d want Donald Trump to make them.
"I don’t want to be his best friend. He’s crude, to the point, but he’s getting things done…if Congress will let him.”
The question is how much space they’ll be willing to give him.