I joined various reporters at the Governor’s Monthly News Conference on November 25, 2025. As reporters questioned Governor Spencer Cox’s views on topics ranging from ICE to the newly passed congressional map, the session was packed with information.
The Governor was almost immediately questioned on his perspective on the redistricting of Utah. In 2018, the Utah legislature passed Proposition 4, an anti-gerrymandering ballot initiative, approved by the people’s votes. Utah previously had a strong-standing Republican represented 4 districts. Judge Dianna Gibson rejected this map and claimed it went against Prop-4. The new map, just approved in October, created a Democratic seat over Salt Lake City, which has since been prone to controversy.
Rep. Ben McAdams, the last Democrat to represent Utah in Congress, elected in Salt Lake City, endorsed the map, following the loss of his seat in 2020 due to another redrawing. During the conference, McAdams’s support of the new map was discussed, and Governor Cox described him as the transition “From a Moderate to Mumdani Land”.
Governor Cox is calling a special session to discuss the redistricting. What he said he wants to see from this session is an appeal to the decision to accept this new map. He stressed that he is against political hostility and violence following the Judge’s decision, and doesn’t believe this will push the primary, although it is a possibility. He emphasized that there is a referendum coming up in 2028, presumably on redirecting, and a similar policy to Prop-4.
Under the current federal administration, ICE has become a major focal point of political policy. Governor Cox was questioned on the rise of ICE presence throughout the Salt Lake Valley, to which he replied simply, “(Utah is) the most welcoming state in the country”. This was then followed by him stating that law is law, and people should come to Utah (and the U.S.), under the right policy and regulations, and we will welcome them. The new leadership of ICE in Utah was brought up, and the Governor replied that sheriffs and police chiefs throughout Utah will be meeting with the new leadership to build a positive relationship.
Following the discussion of law enforcement, questions arose on the protection of UVU following the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the upcoming trial of Tyler Robinson, the man suspected of the assassination. Governor Cox addressed the issue of university protection as ongoing, with his own children on university campuses; he viewed the issue personally and as a matter of making sure the proper funding was in place to support further security efforts. As for the case of Tyler Robinsion, he was asked if political powers being involved had the potential of causing a biased trial, and he to that he stated he had no concern.
Furthering the discussion of law enforcement, combating homelessness, and substance abuse became a pivotal topic. Governor Cox was questioned on his opinion of the new 1300-bed homeless campus being developed near North Salt Lake. This new campus has seen alleged controversy as churches have spoken out against funding the project. Governor Cox said that he supports funding the campus and claims it is of critical need. He stated that “being homeless is not a crime, the crime is crime,” and that these shelters would provide resources to combat the drug crisis created by opioid companies. He hopes that the new campus could be funded by the Opioid settlement fund and that it could be used as a way to get people back on their feet.
In conjunction with the new homeless campus, his decision to pass the dispersed shelter model was questioned in its effectiveness. He took ownership of the fact that the shelter was ineffective in the resources that were promised, but it provides the current facilities needed to house individuals. He claimed it was an issue of inadequate funding that resulted in that ineffectiveness.
There was minor discussion on the Fentanyl dealing and the persecution of dealers. Still, the conclusion was that they want to continue taking Fentanyl dealers off the streets and finding the funding and ability to keep them in prison, rather than the current short stays that follow persecution. The issue he deemed was the immense funding needed to house individuals in law enforcement facilities.
On a light-hearted note, the new Olympic logo was discussed, and the Governor claimed that, amidst the controversy, he was glad it united Utahns through hatred of the logo. He verified that Salt Lake City was removed from the logo, not only for graphic design purposes but also to give credit to cities like Park City and Provo that host events.
