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--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

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The Hill's 12:30 Report: Former Bolton aide refuses to testify | Democrats threaten contempt | Trump may release video of al-Baghdadi raid | What we know about the operation | Trump heads to Chicago | Trump booed at World Series | Dem senator disapproves of 'lock him up' chant | Nats fan who took home run to gut found | Halloween-themed meal on Air Force One | National Chocolate Day deals

LATEST WITH THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

Not happening today -- Add this to the list of battles:

Charles Kupperman, a top aide to former White House national security adviser John Bolton, will not testify before Congress today in the Ukraine probe. http://bit.ly/2Wj4p41

Why: Because of an ongoing lawsuit about whether he can testify.

Kupperman's attorney said in a letter: "If your clients' position on the merits of this issue is correct, it will prevail in court, and Dr. Kupperman, I assure you again, will comply with the Court's judgment," Cooper wrote to Daniel Noble, a Democratic attorney for committee. Read the letter: http://bit.ly/2JrBW6A

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Back story: "Kupperman … has been caught in a legal tug-of-war between a White House trying to block his testimony, citing executive privilege, and Democrats who have subpoenaed Kupperman to appear on Monday in the Capitol before the three committees leading the impeachment probe. On Friday, Kupperman filed a lawsuit, essentially asking the courts to rule on which side had the more compelling legal argument."

Why Kupperman is an interesting witness: He was reportedly on the infamous July 25 call between President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Reaction -- Democrats threaten contempt:

Via The Hill's Mike Lillis and Olivia Beavers, "House Democrats are threatening to charge a key witness in their impeachment investigation with contempt after he defied a subpoena and failed to show up at the Capitol Monday morning." http://bit.ly/2JuByEt

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffSchiff to subpoena top DHS official, alleges whistleblower deposition is being stonewalled Schiff claims DHS is blocking whistleblower's access to records before testimony GOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power MORE (D-Calif.) told reporters: "This is deeply regrettable. He was compelled to appear by a lawful congressional subpoena. Witnesses like Dr. Kupperman need to do their duty and show up. ... A private citizen cannot sue the Congress to try to avoid coming in when they're served with a lawful subpoena. And we expect that the court will make short shrift." http://bit.ly/2JuByEt

HERE'S A TIMELINE OF THE IMPEACHMENT SAGA:

http://bit.ly/2qRe7Pn

It's Monday. 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 -- and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

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IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Bad boys, bad boys. Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you?:

This morning, President Trump said he is considering releasing part of the video of the raid that led to the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr over the weekend. http://bit.ly/2Pwy7kJ



Trump told reporters: "We're thinking about it. We may. We may take certain parts of it and release it, yes."

Keep in mind: When Trump announced al-Baghdadi's death yesterday, he described the raid in great detail and equated the raid to "watching a movie."

INSIDE THE OPERATION:

Via The Washington Post's Dan Lamothe and Ellen Nakashima, here's what we know about the operation: https://wapo.st/2p8yV4t

INTERESTING CONTEXT:

Via The New York Times, "Leader's Death Will Damage ISIS, but Not Destroy It: Before the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State had decentralized, allowing followers and franchises to carry out its violent ideology on their own." https://nyti.ms/2BQFWcQ

IN CONGRESS

Happening this week:

Turkey sanctions: The House is expected to work on sanctions against Turkey for invading northern Syria as the Trump administration agreed to drop sanctions.

Government funding: The Senate is working on a government funding package. What the package includes funding for: Agriculture, interior, transportation-housing and urban development, and commerce-science-justice.

Impeachment testimony: House Democrats continue interviews for the impeachment inquiry. Notable this week: National Security Council official Tim Morrison and National Security Council Director for European Affairs Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman.

Health care: "Senate Democrats are expected to force a vote this week on a Trump administration rule that loosens ObamaCare waiver restrictions."

Armenian genocide: "The House is slated to take up a nonbinding resolution -- spearheaded by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) -- recognizing the Ottoman Empire's genocide against the Armenian people and rejecting any efforts to enlist the U.S. Government in denying it took place."



Environmental legislation: The House is expected to take up three environmental bills: The Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act, the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act.

Context and details for each: http://bit.ly/2Nw2d5h

IN LOCAL NEWS

Grumble.:

After losing games 3, 4 and 5 in the World Series at home, the Washington Nationals are headed back to Houston. Via CBS Sports, here's what the Nats need to do to turn it around and win: http://bit.ly/2Pn0i5r

The front page of The Washington Post sports section -- ouch: http://bit.ly/2ooWiX3

THE TALK OF THE GAME:

President Trump attended Game 5 and was booed by the crowd. https://cnn.it/2WhYNa8

Photo of the president's suite: http://bit.ly/2MSlYVh

Selfie from President Trump's box: http://bit.ly/31RxRPH

'Lock him up!' chants in the stadium: http://bit.ly/2MT7gxl

Sen. Christopher Coons Christopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsTrump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE (D-Del.) disapproved of the chants: "Frankly think the office of the president deserves respect, even when the actions of our president at times don't." Watch Coons's full reaction: http://bit.ly/2pjh0rL

THE HERO OF THE NIGHT:

A fan took a home run in his gut to avoid dropping either of his beers. Watch: http://bit.ly/2pTJGaJ

The man behind it all: Here's an interview with the fan, D.C. resident Jeff Adams, after the game. Watch: http://bit.ly/2Ppt5pT

NOTABLE TWEETS

Aw, this is so festive!:

Per pool report, here is the food on AF1 today pic.twitter.com/8VA6n2euDp — Amanda Terkel (@aterkel) October 28, 2019

Here is the food on Air Force One today.

ON TAP

The House and Senate meet this afternoon. President Trump is in Chicago today and Vice President Pence is in Louisiana.

10:20 a.m. EDT: President Trump lands in Chicago.

11:45 a.m. EDT: President Trump meets with the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association board of directors.

1:10 p.m. EDT: President Trump holds a roundtable with supporters.

12:45 p.m. EDT: President Trump speaks at a joint fundraising committee luncheon.

2 p.m. EDT: The House meets. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/31UBuEi

3 p.m. EDT: The Senate meets. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2on1fQ0

5:30 p.m. EDT: President Trump gets back to the White House.

5:30 p.m. EDT: The Senate votes.

6:30 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence speaks at a Baton Rouge reception for Republican Eddie Rispone's gubernatorial campaign.

6:30 p.m. EDT: Votes in the House.

9:30 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence lands in Killeen, Texas.

WHAT TO WATCH

Today: Several presidential candidates speak at the 2019 J Street conference in Washington, D.C. Livestream: https://cs.pn/31U7xo1

11:25 a.m. EDT: President Trump delivered remarks and signs an executive order at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference and Exposition in Chicago. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2Wk6r3L

5:45 p.m. EDT: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Ginsburg becomes the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol Rabbi memorializes Ginsburg: Her dissents were 'blueprints for the future' MORE participate in Halloween at the White House. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2JuWgUL

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Chocolate Day! Here's a list of deals to celebrate: http://bit.ly/31MkxMs

No one has ever completed the world's scariest haunted house -- Dun, dun, dunnnn:

Via NBC Washington, "A haunted house that promises an extreme experience that can last up to 10 hours requires participants be medically cleared by a doctor and sign a 40-page waiver … NBC affiliate WFLA-TV reports that owner Russ McKamey offers thousands of dollars to anyone who completes the tour, but says no one ever has. He records each tour on video -- for his own protection he says -- and then posts them online, showing them quitting in humiliation."

Details: http://bit.ly/2MSfJ3H

And because you made it this far, here's a happy shark: http://bit.ly/2oo3v9H