Did Hatch not announce until after Bear's Ears was decreased in order to play President Trump? I guess the almighty tax reform brouhaha was his crowning achievement and now he can ride off into his statesmanly retirement but there is a part of me who think the Don got played by the senile old fellar. President Trump knows that while Utah went his way, he is not universally beloved amongst conservative LDS folks. Obviously Frank's batshit crazy wing is gonna whine like the women of Srbrnca, taking their cues from all things Il Padrino, but I am a case in point as I did not vote for the man or there are actual relevant mormons such as Jeff Flake's example if I don't do it for you. Also, I think President Trump is a long way on the petty side of that wide and fuzzy line between whiny and petty. Further, with Mitt all but announcing he would run if Orrin did not and Mitt already being an outspoken critic of the President and from a state where the Mittster will not lose, like Flake would, for being such an outspoken critic paves the way for a Republican in the Senate to be critical of the President with impunity - or as much as a dude like the Mitt can muster. Hence, it was pretty clear how much President Trump wanted Orrin to stay and run again. So Orrin butters up a man who perches his flabby orange ass cheeks on a golden throne to get him on board with shrinking the Bears Ears Monument and once that is accomplished announces his retirement. I have no doubt Orrin is not leaving because of the accomplishments, he is retiring because he doesn't or thinks he can't do it anymore but I am convinced he held off his announcement to give the President as much incentive on the Bears Ears issue as possible. I also still think that President Trump is petty and am interested if the emperor will strike back!