Bryan Schott
@schotthappens.com
Publisher/Managing Editor - Utah Political Watch
📝 I write about politics. Sometimes it goes well. | 🧠 Unsupervised adult with ADHD. | 🏈 In a toxic relationship with the Oklahoma Sooners.
DM for Signal.
https://linktr.ee/SchottHappens
📝 I write about politics. Sometimes it goes well. | 🧠 Unsupervised adult with ADHD. | 🏈 In a toxic relationship with the Oklahoma Sooners.
DM for Signal.
https://linktr.ee/SchottHappens
*altogether
I know I shouldn't punch down, but spell and grammar check is literally built into the iPhones that legislators are issued on the taxpayer dime.
I know I shouldn't punch down, but spell and grammar check is literally built into the iPhones that legislators are issued on the taxpayer dime.
November 11, 2025 at 1:26 AM
*altogether
I know I shouldn't punch down, but spell and grammar check is literally built into the iPhones that legislators are issued on the taxpayer dime.
I know I shouldn't punch down, but spell and grammar check is literally built into the iPhones that legislators are issued on the taxpayer dime.
Dozens of tickets had to be refunded…
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Dozens of tickets had to be refunded…
A free press is so important, especially at this moment. That's why I'm in this fight and not backing down.
If you feel like supporting my work as an independent journalist, go to my website and sign up for my newsletter for free, or become a paying subscriber.
utahpolitics.news#/portal
If you feel like supporting my work as an independent journalist, go to my website and sign up for my newsletter for free, or become a paying subscriber.
utahpolitics.news#/portal
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
A free press is so important, especially at this moment. That's why I'm in this fight and not backing down.
If you feel like supporting my work as an independent journalist, go to my website and sign up for my newsletter for free, or become a paying subscriber.
utahpolitics.news#/portal
If you feel like supporting my work as an independent journalist, go to my website and sign up for my newsletter for free, or become a paying subscriber.
utahpolitics.news#/portal
I also have no idea what I need to do in order to receive a credential.
Representatives for the legislature could not answer any questions about what changes I could make to Utah Political Watch or steps I could take to meet the requirements, which seems quite unfair.
Representatives for the legislature could not answer any questions about what changes I could make to Utah Political Watch or steps I could take to meet the requirements, which seems quite unfair.
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I also have no idea what I need to do in order to receive a credential.
Representatives for the legislature could not answer any questions about what changes I could make to Utah Political Watch or steps I could take to meet the requirements, which seems quite unfair.
Representatives for the legislature could not answer any questions about what changes I could make to Utah Political Watch or steps I could take to meet the requirements, which seems quite unfair.
The suit also claims that the policy banning all independent media is too broad, especially when you consider that the White House is creating space for those kinds of outlets in its press room.
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The suit also claims that the policy banning all independent media is too broad, especially when you consider that the White House is creating space for those kinds of outlets in its press room.
Why?
As the complaint alleges, they don't like what I report and wanted to punish me.
But, you can't deny that my journalism isn't impactful, given how strongly they react, both in public and private.
As the complaint alleges, they don't like what I report and wanted to punish me.
But, you can't deny that my journalism isn't impactful, given how strongly they react, both in public and private.
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Why?
As the complaint alleges, they don't like what I report and wanted to punish me.
But, you can't deny that my journalism isn't impactful, given how strongly they react, both in public and private.
As the complaint alleges, they don't like what I report and wanted to punish me.
But, you can't deny that my journalism isn't impactful, given how strongly they react, both in public and private.
I've covered the legislature for more than 25 years, and easily obtained a press pass every year since the policy was implemented.
After I struck out on my own, the policy was changed to keep independent journalists out.
Curiously, I was the only reporter impacted by this change.
After I struck out on my own, the policy was changed to keep independent journalists out.
Curiously, I was the only reporter impacted by this change.
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I've covered the legislature for more than 25 years, and easily obtained a press pass every year since the policy was implemented.
After I struck out on my own, the policy was changed to keep independent journalists out.
Curiously, I was the only reporter impacted by this change.
After I struck out on my own, the policy was changed to keep independent journalists out.
Curiously, I was the only reporter impacted by this change.
The legislature claims the rules ensure that professional and established members of the media maintain the access they need to do their jobs.
But, that means journalists who don't work for deep-pocketed corporate-owned organizations are excluded.
But, that means journalists who don't work for deep-pocketed corporate-owned organizations are excluded.
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The legislature claims the rules ensure that professional and established members of the media maintain the access they need to do their jobs.
But, that means journalists who don't work for deep-pocketed corporate-owned organizations are excluded.
But, that means journalists who don't work for deep-pocketed corporate-owned organizations are excluded.
Because I have been denied a press credential, I am excluded from covering certain events in person.
It's reasonable to believe that, because of that, other reporters might modify their reporting for fear that they could be denied a credential if their reporting upsets lawmakers.
It's reasonable to believe that, because of that, other reporters might modify their reporting for fear that they could be denied a credential if their reporting upsets lawmakers.
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Because I have been denied a press credential, I am excluded from covering certain events in person.
It's reasonable to believe that, because of that, other reporters might modify their reporting for fear that they could be denied a credential if their reporting upsets lawmakers.
It's reasonable to believe that, because of that, other reporters might modify their reporting for fear that they could be denied a credential if their reporting upsets lawmakers.
During their deposition, the media representatives for the legislature admitted it was very important to them that journalists be part of a corporate structure where they can be disciplined or fired.
Why?
So they can "have conversations" if there's a story they object to.
Why?
So they can "have conversations" if there's a story they object to.
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
During their deposition, the media representatives for the legislature admitted it was very important to them that journalists be part of a corporate structure where they can be disciplined or fired.
Why?
So they can "have conversations" if there's a story they object to.
Why?
So they can "have conversations" if there's a story they object to.
AFTER I filed my lawsuit, they invented a brand-new rule to explain why "independent" media like Utah Political Watch is excluded.
These standards are not mentioned anywhere in the rules, nor did they ask me any questions about whether I met these requirements.
These standards are not mentioned anywhere in the rules, nor did they ask me any questions about whether I met these requirements.
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
AFTER I filed my lawsuit, they invented a brand-new rule to explain why "independent" media like Utah Political Watch is excluded.
These standards are not mentioned anywhere in the rules, nor did they ask me any questions about whether I met these requirements.
These standards are not mentioned anywhere in the rules, nor did they ask me any questions about whether I met these requirements.
They also couldn't define "independent media" and "blog," even though those types of media are prohibited from being credentialed to cover the legislature.
Additionally, the rules state that only reporters from "established" media outlets could get credentials.
What does "established" mean? 🤷♂️
Additionally, the rules state that only reporters from "established" media outlets could get credentials.
What does "established" mean? 🤷♂️
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
They also couldn't define "independent media" and "blog," even though those types of media are prohibited from being credentialed to cover the legislature.
Additionally, the rules state that only reporters from "established" media outlets could get credentials.
What does "established" mean? 🤷♂️
Additionally, the rules state that only reporters from "established" media outlets could get credentials.
What does "established" mean? 🤷♂️
They claim that the new policy creates concrete standards for who can be credentialed and who cannot, thus eliminating any discretion.
But, when questioned, they could not answer "yes" or "no" about how they would apply the rules in certain cases.
But, when questioned, they could not answer "yes" or "no" about how they would apply the rules in certain cases.
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
They claim that the new policy creates concrete standards for who can be credentialed and who cannot, thus eliminating any discretion.
But, when questioned, they could not answer "yes" or "no" about how they would apply the rules in certain cases.
But, when questioned, they could not answer "yes" or "no" about how they would apply the rules in certain cases.
Last year, the legislature changed their policy for issuing media credentials to exclude "blogs" and "independent media."
Our lawsuit claims those changes were made specifically to target me and deny me a credential.
This is highlighted by the inconsistency in how they applied the rules.
Our lawsuit claims those changes were made specifically to target me and deny me a credential.
This is highlighted by the inconsistency in how they applied the rules.
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Last year, the legislature changed their policy for issuing media credentials to exclude "blogs" and "independent media."
Our lawsuit claims those changes were made specifically to target me and deny me a credential.
This is highlighted by the inconsistency in how they applied the rules.
Our lawsuit claims those changes were made specifically to target me and deny me a credential.
This is highlighted by the inconsistency in how they applied the rules.
The GOP keeps hunting for a post‑Trump savior. Spencer Cox isn’t it. Three reasons: MAGA distrust, Utah’s small stage, and a civility brand that doesn’t win primaries. WaPo says “maybe.” The base says “nope.”
Full story at the link:
utahpolitics.news/spencer-cox-...
Full story at the link:
utahpolitics.news/spencer-cox-...
November 10, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The GOP keeps hunting for a post‑Trump savior. Spencer Cox isn’t it. Three reasons: MAGA distrust, Utah’s small stage, and a civility brand that doesn’t win primaries. WaPo says “maybe.” The base says “nope.”
Full story at the link:
utahpolitics.news/spencer-cox-...
Full story at the link:
utahpolitics.news/spencer-cox-...
LOL, no.
Ranking 2028 presidential contenders, the @washingtonpost.com includes Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
The number of Republican presidential primary voters who have said, "Utah Gov. Spencer Cox would make a good president," could hold a meeting in a broom closet.
archive.ph/202511091801...
Ranking 2028 presidential contenders, the @washingtonpost.com includes Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
The number of Republican presidential primary voters who have said, "Utah Gov. Spencer Cox would make a good president," could hold a meeting in a broom closet.
archive.ph/202511091801...
November 9, 2025 at 7:19 PM
LOL, no.
Ranking 2028 presidential contenders, the @washingtonpost.com includes Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
The number of Republican presidential primary voters who have said, "Utah Gov. Spencer Cox would make a good president," could hold a meeting in a broom closet.
archive.ph/202511091801...
Ranking 2028 presidential contenders, the @washingtonpost.com includes Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
The number of Republican presidential primary voters who have said, "Utah Gov. Spencer Cox would make a good president," could hold a meeting in a broom closet.
archive.ph/202511091801...
This new picture of Trump…
Bro…
Bro…
November 8, 2025 at 10:59 PM
This new picture of Trump…
Bro…
Bro…
This is monstrous.
The cruelty is the point.
The cruelty is the point.
November 8, 2025 at 2:37 PM
This is monstrous.
The cruelty is the point.
The cruelty is the point.
Going live at 6 PM MT to break down this week in Utah politics.
What happened? What matters? What's BS?
We'll cover it all + take your questions.
No spin. No pulled punches.
What happened? What matters? What's BS?
We'll cover it all + take your questions.
No spin. No pulled punches.
November 6, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Going live at 6 PM MT to break down this week in Utah politics.
What happened? What matters? What's BS?
We'll cover it all + take your questions.
No spin. No pulled punches.
What happened? What matters? What's BS?
We'll cover it all + take your questions.
No spin. No pulled punches.
Somebody collapsed during a press event in the Oval Office today.
This photo taken right after it happened says so very much...
This photo taken right after it happened says so very much...
November 6, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Somebody collapsed during a press event in the Oval Office today.
This photo taken right after it happened says so very much...
This photo taken right after it happened says so very much...
This came across my feed last night, and I can't stop laughing.
November 5, 2025 at 4:34 PM
This came across my feed last night, and I can't stop laughing.
Sooo…Trump’s reaction to tonight’s election results seems a bit ominous.
November 5, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Sooo…Trump’s reaction to tonight’s election results seems a bit ominous.
Such weak snowflakes.
November 5, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Such weak snowflakes.