Politicit Podcast (Audio)

Randy Watt’s Story
Born and raised in Ogden, Utah, Randy built a career that bridged law enforcement and military service. He holds degrees in Police Science (Weber State), Business Administration (University of Phoenix), and Strategic Studies (U.S. Army War College).
 
Randy served 32 years with the Ogden Police Department, rising to the rank of Assistant Chief before retiring in 2011. In 2017, he was called back to lead as Chief of Police, a position he held until 2021.
 
With decades of leadership in both policing and the Army National Guard, Randy’s journey reflects dedication, service, and a lifelong commitment to his community.
 
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Utah plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Kirk Moore faced a federal indictment for allegedly distributing falsified COVID-19 vaccination record cards. After a five-day trial filled with tension and uncertainty, the case ended abruptly when U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered the Department of Justice to dismiss all charges.
Dr. Kirk Moore is a plastic surgeon with nearly two decades of experience helping patients feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. He trained at the University of Miami School of Medicine, graduating with Alpha Omega Alpha honors, and completed his plastic surgery residency at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. His rigorous education and dedication to his craft have shaped his reputation for precision, safety, and natural-looking results. He became board-certified in 2002. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Saturday ordered the Department of Justice to dismiss all charges against Michael Kirk Moore Jr., his business — the Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah — and his neighbor, Kristin Jackson Andersen, who was also allegedly involved. "Dr. Moore gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so. He did not deserve the years in prison he was facing. It ends today," Bondi said in a post on the social platform X. Moore, his business, and his neighbor were accused of conducting a scheme in which they distributed false COVID-19 vaccination record cards to individuals who did not want the vaccine. Critics of the vaccine have rallied around Moore, arguing that he shouldn't face any jail time.
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In this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, host Senator John D. Johnson sits down with Kris Andersen and Jamie Renda of Path Forward Utah to unpack one of Utah’s most extraordinary legal sagas. What began as a neighborhood effort to support families during the COVID-19 era — organizing graduations, forming the Freedom Fighters parent network, and connecting with Dr. Michael Kirk Moore for medical choice — escalated into a federal prosecution on charges tied to fraudulent vaccine cards. Andersen recounts her traumatic arrest, the experience of pretrial confinement, and the three-day jury trial that brought high-level public-health officials to the witness stand. She and Renda describe the behind-the-scenes advocacy, including outreach to Senator Mike Lee and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, that ultimately helped bring national attention to the case. On July 14, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi dismissed all charges — a dramatic conclusion that Andersen says was both a relief and a call to action.
 
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Celeste Maloy is Utah’s 2nd District Rep, Focused on Rural Issues and Public Lands | PoliticIt Podcast In this wide-ranging Politic-It interview, Representative Celeste Maloy (UT-02) breaks down the realities of serving in Congress, from fiscal debates and reconciliation rules to her influential committee work on Appropriations and Natural Resources. We cover:
✅ The controversy around the reconciliation package and the “tax cuts for billionaires” talking point
✅ Why deficit projections depend on flawed assumptions
✅ What reconciliation can and cannot do under Senate rules
✅ The difference between mandatory vs. discretionary spending
✅ Appropriations, rescissions, and Congress’s multi-track fiscal strategy
✅ How Maloy landed a rare freshman seat on Appropriations
✅ Why Utah’s House delegation is small but highly effective
✅ Public lands, water, and rural issues that drive Utah’s priorities
✅ Personal moments in Washington—including her first visit to the Oval Office
✅ How constituents can connect directly with Rep. Maloy “Reconciliation is not a policy process. It’s a tax and revenue process.” – Rep. Celeste Maloy
📌 Stay tuned to the end for Rep. Maloy’s advice on tuning out the political noise and focusing on the real substance of policymaking. ⸻
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Tawnee has been married to Dan for 26 years and is the proud mom of six children and foster kids. She earned her MBA from Utah State University (go Aggies!) with a focus on financial planning and has dedicated her career and community service to helping others.
Tawnee is currently serving her 8th year on the Riverton City Council. She also serves on the Utah League of Cities and Towns Board, is Vice-Chair of the Tourism, Recreation, Culture and Convention (TRCC) Board, and a member of the Jordan River Commission Board. Locally, she is active on the Riverton High School Community Council and PTA. Professionally, Tawnee is an Accredited Financial Counselor, Financial Literacy Instructor, Adjunct Faculty at USU, and Director of the Housing and Financial Counseling Center. In her free time, she loves traveling, reading, and exploring National Parks.
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A proven leader in both public service and business, Trent was elected as mayor of Riverton, Utah in 2017, delivering exceptional results, including cutting property taxes, reducing fees, and saving residents tens of millions of dollars. He has been consistently pro-liberty during the COVID lockdowns, has protected the right to life of the unborn, and pushed back on damaging “woke” policies like ESG.
Trent was also a candidate for US Senate in 2024, receiving the endorsement of President Trump, Senator Tuberville, Senator Paul, Charlie Kirk, Kash Patel and several other national conservatives. Beyond his mayoral duties, Trent has over 25 years of executive experience, successfully managing organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small and medium-sized enterprises. He recently served on the board of an energy company he helped take public, securing a listing on NASDAQ in 2022. Trent and his wife Alisha are the proud parents of two children. In May 2025, Trent was appointed as a regional advocate in the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, where he is one of 10 regional advocates within SBA tasked with working with businesses and local leaders to support small business growth. S
taggs said, "My mission is to champion small business, listen to your concerns, identify cumbersome red tape and make policy proposals to the White House, Congress and state legislatures that will make a difference. Just as I've done as a mayor, I will continue to champion limited government, fiscal responsibility and local control. These are the principles that allow small businesses to thrive rather than merely survive.
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Doug is a first-generation American whose parents immigrated to the US from Tonga in the late 1970s to pursue the American Dream. Through the sacrifice, hard work, and entrepreneurship of his parents, Doug saw that in America, anything is possible, especially in Utah.
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In this episode, we dive deep into the world of environmental policy with Andrew Sandstrom, conservative environmental advocate, podcast host, and strategic consultant. As the founder of the Public Lands Policy Podcast and a leading voice with the American Energy Leadership Institute, Andrew brings a unique right-of-center perspective to issues often dominated by progressive narratives.
🛠️ From public land management and forest restoration to critical mineral development and energy independence, Andrew lays out a compelling case for why conservatives must engage in environmental debates—not just to push back, but to lead with principle and pragmatism.
#AndrewSandstrom #EnvironmentalPolicy #ConservativeEnvironmentalist #CriticalMinerals #EnergyAbundance #PublicLands #ForestManagement #CleanEnergy #BearsEars #NationalSecurity #Conservation #UtahPolitics #Podcast #EnergyIndependence #ClimatePolicy #politicit #utahelections #utpol