President Donald Trump has endorsed Rob Axson for Utah Republican Party chair, a striking move given that Axson’s main opponent is Phil Lyman—a man Trump pardoned in 2020. Lyman, a state lawmaker, gained national attention for leading a protest ride through a protected area in southeastern Utah, which led to his conviction on federal charges. Trump’s pardon at the time framed Lyman as a symbol of resistance to government overreach, and Lyman has since leaned on that connection to bolster his political profile.
Trump’s decision to back Axson instead of his former pardon recipient has surprised many within Utah’s GOP. In his endorsement, Trump described Axson as someone who “will be a strong, unifying leader for Utah Republicans and a tireless advocate for the America First agenda.” The endorsement undercuts Lyman’s narrative of loyalty and close ties to the president, reshaping the race and prompting backlash against the president from Lyman loyalists.