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--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*
*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.
The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump says he's being investigated for firing Comey | Trump allies on offensive against Mueller | Rosenstein weighs recusal from Russia probe | Changes coming to Cuba policy | Amazon buying Whole Foods | National Fudge Day
ALERT -- TRUMP SAYS HE'S BEING INVESTIGATED: President Trump
Donald John TrumpSchiff blasts Trump for making 'false claims' about Russia intel: 'You've betrayed America. Again.' Poll: Sanders leads 2020 Democratic field with 28 percent, followed by Warren and Biden More than 6 in 10 expect Trump to be reelected: poll MORE tweeted that he was "being investigated" for firing FBI Director James Comey. He tweeted: "I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt." Who he's referring to: It wasn't immediately clear, though it is likely Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Keep in mind: While the president's tweet had the appearance of confirming he is under federal investigation for possible obstruction of justice, it's not clear what information he used to back up comments. http://bit.ly/2ryKaD1
FLASHBACK: The president tweeted last week: "Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication...and WOW, Comey is a leaker!" http://bit.ly/2sGK6B6
TWITTER GAME: Drink every time President Trump refers to a "witch hunt."
MELANIA, SISTAH GIRL, HELP A NATION OUT. CHANGE HIS TWITTER PASSWORD.: President Trump went on another Twitter tirade this morning about the investigation into Russian meddling in the U.S. election. On the economy: "Despite the phony Witch Hunt going on in America, the economic & jobs numbers are great. Regulations way down, jobs and enthusiasm way up!" http://bit.ly/2t9Ytv7 On the media: "The Fake News Media hates when I use what has turned out to be my very powerful Social Media -- over 100 million people! I can go around them." http://bit.ly/2s8OZBV
It's Friday. *collective sigh of relief* I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com, @CateMartel and on Facebook.
Yikes, this graph: "How Amazon took over the world. A relentless focus on the top line." http://bit.ly/2sAM6LB
NEW FROM THE WHITE HOUSE -- THE DREAMERS CAN STAY: Via The New York Times's Michael D. Shear, "President Trump has officially reversed his campaign pledge to deport the so-called Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as small children." http://nyti.ms/2sjdgn5
LATEST WITH THE RUSSIA INVESTIGATION -- FISTS CLENCHING IN MUELLER'S DIRECTION: Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley, "President Trump's legal team and political allies have launched a preemptive strike against special counsel Robert Mueller." Why: "Trump's backers are furious about a story that appeared Wednesday in The Washington Post, in which five anonymous sources alleged that the president is the target of an obstruction of justice investigation for allegedly trying to bury an FBI probe into his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn." Timing: That story "which was published on Trump's birthday and a week after the White House believed the president had moved beyond allegations of collusion with Russia in the presidential election, was viewed by Trump's allies as evidence that the story was planted by law enforcement officials to ensure a shadow of suspicion would remain." http://bit.ly/2sji7Vo
NEW DEVELOPMENT -- RECUSAL IS THE NEW 'PEAAAACE, I'M OUT': Via ABC's Mike Levine and Pierre Thomas, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, "the senior Justice Department official with ultimate authority over the special counsel's probe of Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 election has privately acknowledged to colleagues that he may have to recuse himself from the matter, which he took charge of only after Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsOn the Trail: Senate GOP hopefuls tie themselves to Trump Trump looms as flashpoint in Alabama Senate battle Trump tweets test Attorney General Barr MORE' own recusal." Why this is huge: His comments show that the federal probe is widening. http://abcn.ws/2tvpEjw
Who is third in command: Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand. What to know about her: http://wapo.st/2sj3LUT
A CRYPTIC MESSAGE FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT -- TRUST NO ONE. BELIEVE NOTHING: The Justice Department issued a statement last night warning against believing anonymous sources. Statement: "Americans should exercise caution before accepting as true any stories attributed to anonymous 'officials,' particularly when they do not identify the country -- let alone the branch or agency of government -- with which the alleged sources supposedly are affiliated," Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein wrote Thursday. http://bit.ly/2sxwRSF
Why reporters found this statement bizarre: Many reporters quickly pointed out the statement as bizarre, speculating that the Justice Department was attempting to squash existing leaks, or possibly a story that hasn't yet been reported. It's not immediately made clear if the statement was in reference to a specific story.
Example -- tweet from Buzzfeed's legal editor Chris Geidner: "Great to hear the White House and Donald Trump admin is going to do all briefings on the record from now on. Bravo, Justice Department." http://bit.ly/2sAn9Qc
SPOTTED AT THE CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL GAME: Anheuser-Busch/Buffalo Wild Wings co-hosted a watch party at the PNC Diamond Club for last night's Congressional Baseball Game. Spotted: Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta; White House press secretary Sean Spicer and Rebecca Miller Spicer; deputy White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders; Doug Bailey, vice president of industry affairs for Anheuser-Busch; Sen. John Boozman
John Nichols BoozmanOvernight Defense: Pentagon policy chief resigns at Trump's request | Trump wishes official 'well in his future endeavors' | Armed Services chair warns against Africa drawdown after trip GOP chairman after Africa trip: US military drawdown would have 'real and lasting negative consequences' Appropriators fume over reports of Trump plan to reprogram .2 billion for wall MORE (R-Ark.); Reps. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), Lacy Clay (D-Mo.), Barbara Comstock (R-Va.), John Delaney (D-Md.), Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Virginia Foxx
Virginia Ann FoxxOvernight Health Care: House panel advances legislation on surprise medical bills | Planned Parenthood, ACLU sue over Trump abortion coverage rule | CDC identifies 13th US patient with coronavirus House panel advances bipartisan surprise billing legislation despite divisions Ex-HHS chief threatens to vote 'no' on surprise medical billing measure MORE (R-N.C.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), David Joyce (R-Ohio), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Ted Yoho
Theodore (Ted) Scott YohoPelosi joins pressure campaign on Huawei US lawmakers push WHO to recognize Taiwan as independent state as coronavirus outbreak continues Hillicon Valley: Tech confronts impact of coronavirus | House GOP offers resolution to condemn UK over Huawei | YouTube lays out plans to tackle 2020 misinformation MORE (R-Fla.); Roland Foster, senior policy adviser for Sen. Jeff Flake
Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeMcSally ties Democratic rival Kelly to Sanders in new ad McSally launches 2020 campaign Sinema will vote to convict Trump MORE (R-Ariz.); and Katie Pointer, floor manager for Speaker Paul Ryan
Paul Davis RyanPaul Ryan says he disagrees with Romney's impeachment vote Trump doubles down on Neil Cavuto attacks: 'Will he get the same treatment as' Shep Smith? Trump lashes out at Fox News coverage: 'I won every one of my debates' MORE (R-Wis.).
Overheard in the concourse: "Oh my god! There's beer and hotdogs here! It's a real American ball park!"
Me: ... (http://bit.ly/2sxLHIM)
HAPPY TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY, ERRBODY: Two years ago, Donald Trump rode down a Trump Tower escalator to "Rockin' In The Free World" and into everyone's hearts. Lol, he announced his bid for president two years ago today. Oh how time flies... Throwback to that day: http://abcn.ws/2s93GVm
NOTABLE TWEETS:
Hanna De Castro (This photo has gone viral.)
My mom was told to give me a half up half down hairstyle. She didnt know what that meant so she did this. Photo: http://bit.ly/2rnMEQs
Politico's Ben Schreckinger (Oh wow. This Smirnoff ad.)
SPOTTED in London http://bit.ly/2sA5ZlN
ON TAP:
The House and Senate are both out.
5:30 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence speaks at a fundraiser for his political action committee at the JW Marriott Indianapolis. Details: https://usat.ly/2rnMqc5
4 p.m. EDT Monday: The Senate is back in.
WHAT TO WATCH:
1 p.m. EDT: President Trump speaks at the Manuel Artime Theater in Miami and makes an announcement on United States' policy towards Cuba. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2tafp4v
What to know about Trump's Cuba policy: http://bit.ly/2s8C6aO
Photo of Trump's backdrop: http://bit.ly/2tvjAat
Sunday: Sens. Marco Rubio
Marco Antonio RubioDemocrats: It's Trump's world, and we're just living in it Cheese, wine importers reeling from Trump trade fight Peace Corps' sudden decision to leave China stirs blowback MORE (R-Fla.) and Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersSchiff blasts Trump for making 'false claims' about Russia intel: 'You've betrayed America. Again.' Buttigieg campaign claims 'irregularities' in Nevada caucuses Poll: Sanders leads 2020 Democratic field with 28 percent, followed by Warren and Biden MORE (I-Vt.) appear on CNN's "State of the Union."
Sunday: Jill Abramson, David Blankenhorn, Edward Luce, Padraig O'Malley, Ruchir Sharma and Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani of Qatar will appear on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS."
NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...:
Today is National Fudge Day!
CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS TO BECOME A 'MADE FOR TV' TLC HORROR MOVIE: Two teenagers were rescued after being lost for three days in the Paris catacombs. Yikes. http://cnn.it/2siKSSd
IT'S LIKE AN ADULT TOY STORE: Artist Lucy Sparrow has opened an all-felt bodega in New York. Basically, it's an entire convenience store of plush items for sale. The photos look pretty cool: http://bit.ly/2s8R3Kb
And to get your weekend off to a good start, here's a woman who captured video of her UPS driver taking a selfie with her dogs: http://bzfd.it/2sGS513
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