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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 to allow indefinite detentions of migrant families | Trump doubles down on Jewish controversy | Why Sanders campaign may be underestimated | Polls offer warning signs for Trump | Trump scraps Denmark trip over Greenland | Trump considers payroll tax cut but maintains economy is strong | Sean Spicer Sean Michael SpicerKellyanne Conway to leave White House at end of month Pro-Trump duo Diamond and Silk launch new program on Newsmax TV The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Supreme Court's unanimous decision on the Electoral College MORE joins 'Dancing with the Stars' | Lucky Charms to sell bags of marshmallows

NEWS OF THE MORNING

The limit does not exist:

The Trump administration unveiled a new rule this morning to allow migrant families to be held for an indefinite period. http://bit.ly/2NmkraD

The old rule: Under the old system called the Flores Settlement Agreement, children could not be held for longer than 20 days.

Under the new system: "Immigrant families could be held for the duration of their court proceedings, which officials claim can be resolved within three months."

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The Trump administration's reasoning: "The Trump administration has frequently blamed the Flores Agreement for the spike in family border crossings over the last few years, claiming the promise of eventual release creates an incentive to enter the country illegally."

It's Wednesday. 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

Why back down if you can double down:

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 just doubled down on his statement that Democratic voters are being "disloyal" to Jewish people and Israel.

In Trump's words: "You vote for a Democrat you're being very disloyal to Jewish people and being very disloyal to Israel."

BACK STORY:

Yesterday when criticizing two congresswomen who are critical of the U.S.-Israel alliance, President Trump said Jewish people who vote Democratic are ignorant or disloyal. The comments sparked a backlash. http://bit.ly/2Z7SNFn

You're canceled:

President Trump postponed a trip to Denmark after the country's prime minister shot down the possibility of purchasing Greenland. http://bit.ly/2NhnCAy

Trump tweeted: "Denmark is a very special country with incredible people, but based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland, I will be postponing our meeting scheduled in two weeks for another time ... the Prime Minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark by being so direct. I thank her for that and look forward to rescheduling sometime in the future!" http://bit.ly/2NjBYQV

THIS MORNING -- REACTION FROM FORMER DANISH DIPLOMATS:

Several former Danish diplomats slammed President Trump for pulling out of the Danish meeting.

From former Prime Minister Kristian Jensen: "Total chaos with @realDonaldTrump and cancellation of state visit to Denmark. It has gone from a big opportunity for strengthened dialogue between allies to a diplomatic crisis ... Everyone should know Greenland is not for sale." http://bit.ly/2NpgNgi

Consider it considered:

Though President Trump maintains that the economy is strong, he confirmed that he is considering a temporary payroll tax as a way to boost the economy. http://bit.ly/2Z1XYGW

In Trump's words: "Payroll tax is something that we think about, and a lot of people would like to see that ... We're looking at various tax reductions. But I'm looking at that all the time anyway."

Oh and: Trump said his administration is also considering doing something on the capital gains tax, though it is still up in the air.

NEW POLL ON THE ECONOMY:

"Although almost two-thirds of Americans still say current economic conditions are good, a new CNN poll shows the first significant drop in perceptions since President Trump's election." http://bit.ly/2NxtsxZ

The numbers: "In the poll, 65 percent of respondents rated economic conditions as somewhat or very good, a 5-point drop from May. Perception of the economy had steadily increased since Trump's inauguration, when 57 percent of respondents said conditions were good."

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Why Trump's advisers should be concerned about his polling:

Via The Hill's Niall Stanage, "Opinion polls are flashing warning signs for President Trump-- and in some unexpected ways." http://bit.ly/2NnT9Rw

For example: A Fox News poll last week tested Trump against former Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters Republicans not immune to the malady that hobbled Democrats The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election MORE (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.) and Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisTexas Democratic official urges Biden to visit state: 'I thought he had his own plane' The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden on Trump: 'He'll leave' l GOP laywers brush off Trump's election remarks l Obama's endorsements A game theorist's advice to President Trump on filling the Supreme Court seat MORE (D-Calif.). Trump won white voters by a relatively small margin.

Why this is pretty important: "The president crushed Clinton with white non-college educated voters, winning them by a huge 37 points (66-29 percent) over Clinton. In the Fox poll, his best performance with such voters -- an 18-point advantage over Warren -- was roughly half as large."

Is it a trend or an outlier?: It does not appear to be an outlier. A Quinnipiac University poll last month showed similar numbers.

Bernie Sanders's polls are also something to watch carefully:

Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley and Max Greenwood, new polling shows that Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I-Vt.) bid for the Democratic presidential nomination may be underestimated. http://bit.ly/2NnXZxU

Where Sanders stands: Sanders is firmly in the top three among Democratic candidates, along with former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

Why this is important to mention: "The surveys give considerable hope to Sanders, who has been largely overshadowed over the past few months by Warren's buzzy campaign. Given his grassroots fundraising and his organization, the polling suggests Sanders will be in the race for the long haul and that he stands a good chance of winning."

Polling details: http://bit.ly/2NnXZxU

IN OTHER NEWS

I'm setting my DVR as we speak:

This year's cast of "Dancing with the Stars" was announced on ABC's "Good Morning America" today.

Including...: Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer!

Other notable cast members: "Bachelorette" Hannah Brown, Karamo Brown of "Queer Eye" and former NBA star Lamar Odom.

When the season will premiere: Sept. 16

Details and the full cast: https://gma.abc/2NmkxiH

IN OTHER NEWS

Announced this morning -- deficits could exceed $12 trillion in the next decade:

Via The Hill's Niv Elis, "The federal government will rack up $12.2 trillion in deficits through 2029, according to a new projection from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), an $809 billion increase from its last projection in May." http://bit.ly/2Z9xZNM

NOTABLE TWEETS

Oh man, I can't unsee these:

pete buttigieg as “saturn devouring his son.” a thread. pic.twitter.com/kmCyE3Hj56 — T. Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) August 17, 2019

This is one of four comparison photos. Here are the others: http://bit.ly/2No4NvE

ON TAP

The House and Senate are out.

President Trump is in Louisville, Ky., for the day. Vice President Pence is in Roswell, N.M., and then heads to Salt Lake City.

10:25 a.m. EDT: Vice President Pence left for Roswell, N.M.

11:15 a.m. EDT: President Trump left for Louisville, Ky.

3:15 p.m. EDT: President Trump participates in a roundtable with supporters in Louisville, Ky.

4:15 p.m. EDT: President Trump speaks at a fundraising committee reception.

4:45 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence visits the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

7:10 p.m. EDT: President Trump gets back to the White House.

8:25 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence arrives in Salt Lake City.

WHAT TO WATCH

2 p.m. EDT: President Trump speaks at the American Veterans 75th National Convention in Louisville, Ky. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2NiIPdr

3:15 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence gives remarks at "USMCA: A Better Deal for American Workers." Livestream: http://bit.ly/2NoO1fB

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Spumoni Day.

This is pretty wild:

Via CNN's Ashley Strickland, "Black hole gobbles up neutron star, causing ripples in space and time." Details: https://cnn.it/2NmeF9a

Hearts, Stars, and Horseshoes, Clovers and Blue Moons, Pots of Gold and Rainbows, and Tasty Red Balloons!:

Lucky Charms has teamed up with Jet-Puffed to release entire bags of the colorful marshmallows. Photo: http://bit.ly/2NoVmvF

And because it's August and you should be just a little distracted from work, here's a dog meeting a seal for the first time: http://bit.ly/2NpaVUi