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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: Intel chief defends handling of whistleblower complaint | House panel releases declassified complaint | What to know about the document | Schiff calls it 'most graphic evidence yet' against Trump | Nunes rips Dems and their 'media assets' | Trump accuses Dems of 'trying to destroy the Republican Party' | How impeachment fight could shake up Senate races | Warren volunteer dies in Iowa car crash | Princess Beatrice is engaged | National Pancake Day

NEWS THIS MORNING

Here it is. The declassified whistleblower complaint:

The House Intelligence Committee released a declassified version of the whistleblower complaint that sparked House Democrats to launch an impeachment inquiry. http://bit.ly/2mRH3Vu

What's in the complaint: The official wrote that he or she received information from multiple government officials that 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 was "using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign government in the 2020 U.S. election."

The complaint named names: "The President's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting CIA found Putin 'probably directing' campaign against Biden: report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate MORE, is a central figure in this effort. Attorney General Barr also appears to be involved as well."

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Timing: The whistleblower complaint was released roughly 30 minutes before acting Director of National Security Joseph Maguire started his testimony.

Who is the whistleblower?: We still don't know.

Read the whistleblower complaint: http://bit.ly/2ljUTiS

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AT THE CENTER OF THIS DRAMA:

Michael Atkinson, a Trump appointee, has been the inspector general of the intelligence committee for about a year. Here is more about him: http://bit.ly/2lYwKyJ

It's Thursday of the never-ending week. 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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HAPPENING THIS MORNING

Talk to us:

Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire is testifying today before the House Intelligence Committee on the whistleblower complaint that led to the House beginning an impeachment inquiry.

Livestream of the hearing: https://cs.pn/2lYiYw0

Live blog with updates: http://bit.ly/2lXGxF6

HEARING HIGHLIGHTS:

Maguire on the whistleblower: "I think the whistleblower did the right thing. I think he followed the law every step of the way." http://bit.ly/2mYOxWs

Maguire on his communications with Trump: "I will not divulge privileged conversations that I have with the president," Maguire said. But he did say that the White House did not ask him to assert executive privilege.

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.) on Trump: Schiff said the whistleblower complaint is the "most graphic evidence yet" that the president abused the oath of office. Trump "sacrificed our national security and the Constitution for his personal political benefit" during his discussion with the president of Ukraine, Schiff said. http://bit.ly/2mXTOO2

From Rep. Devin Nunes Devin Gerald NunesOvernight Defense: Stopgap spending measure awaits Senate vote | Trump nominates former Nunes aide for intelligence community watchdog | Trump extends ban on racial discrimination training to contractors, military Trump nominates former Nunes aide to serve as intel community inspector general Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election MORE (Calif.), the top Republican on the committee: "I want to congratulate the Democrats on the rollout of their latest information warfare operation against the president and their extraordinary ability to once again enlist the mainstream media in their campaign." http://bit.ly/2mV3gSr

Another Republican on the committee had a differing opinion: Rep. Mike Turner Michael Ray TurnerHispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Overnight Defense: Trump announces 'snapback' of sanctions on Iran | Uniformed personnel at Dem convention under investigation | Netanyahu calls reported F-35 deal 'fake news' Democrats go big on diversity with new House recruits MORE (R-Ohio) said, "I've read the complaint and I've read the transcript of the conversation with the president and the president of the Ukraine. Concerning that conversation, I want to say to the president: This is not OK. That conversation is not okay. And I think it's disappointing to the American public when they read the transcript." http://bit.ly/2mYLiyE

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

Who is in the audience: "DNI hearing about the whistleblower complaint. The room is mostly full of young Cap Hill staffers/interns who want to see history. The hallway is full of reporters." (Via PBS's Lisa Desjardins) Photo of some of the young people in the room: http://bit.ly/2mPsZM5

Photos of the cameras set up hours before the hearing started: http://bit.ly/2mY47ly

Organized chaos: Here's what it looked like outside the hearing room this morning. Photo: http://bit.ly/2lla23p

Before the hearing started: President Trump tweeted, "THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO DESTROY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND ALL THAT IT STANDS FOR. STICK TOGETHER, PLAY THEIR GAME, AND FIGHT HARD REPUBLICANS. OUR COUNTRY IS AT STAKE!" http://bit.ly/2ll9xq3

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

The stocks will crash. You want that?:

This morning, President Trump said the markets will crash if he is impeached. http://bit.ly/2mT48qK

He tweeted: "If they actually did this the markets would crash. Do you think it was luck that got us to the best Stock Market and Economy in our history. It wasn't!" http://bit.ly/2nxWX7T

THE IMPEACHMENT FIGHT COULD ALSO AFFECT TRUMP'S TRADE DEAL:

Here's how: http://bit.ly/2m1ficW

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

A Trump trial is bad news bears for Senate races:

Republicans and Democrats in the Senate are worried about an impeachment trial in the Senate as it could further polarize the electorate. http://bit.ly/2lQ3Y3p

It could hurt Republicans in a few states: It could be "a troubling development for Republicans running in states won by Democrat Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida Hillicon Valley: Productivity, fatigue, cybersecurity emerge as top concerns amid pandemic | Facebook critics launch alternative oversight board | Google to temporarily bar election ads after polls close Trump pledges to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, designate KKK a terrorist group in pitch to Black voters MORE in the 2016 presidential race such as Sens. Cory Gardner Cory Scott GardnerBreaking the Chinese space addiction Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error Billionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden MORE (R-Colo.) and Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' Poll: 57 percent of Americans think next president, Senate should fill Ginsburg vacancy On The Trail: Making sense of this week's polling tsunami MORE (R-Maine)."

But it could help Republicans in a few states: "For GOP candidates running in states where Trump has a higher approval rating, such as Sens. Thom Tillis Thomas (Thom) Roland TillisOvernight Energy: Trump officials finalize plan to open up protected areas of Tongass to logging | Feds say offshore testing for oil can proceed despite drilling moratorium | Dems question EPA's postponement of inequality training On The Trail: Making sense of this week's polling tsunami Feds say offshore testing for oil can proceed despite drilling moratorium MORE (N.C.), Joni Ernst Joni Kay ErnstOn The Trail: Making sense of this week's polling tsunami Tillis appears to reinforce question about COVID-19 death toll The power of incumbency: How Trump is using the Oval Office to win reelection MORE (Iowa) and Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' House to vote on resolution affirming peaceful transition of power Republican lawyers brush off Trump's election comments MORE (Ky.), the polarized electorate could help drive Republicans to the polls."

An example of a Democrat that could be affected: "Impeachment proceedings could spell doom for Sen. Doug Jones, a Democrat up for reelection in Alabama, one of the nation's most pro-Trump states."



How this could play out: http://bit.ly/2lQ3Y3p

Rest in peace:

Zachary Crombie Presberg, a 22-year-old volunteer for Sen. 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's (D-Mass.) presidential campaign, died in a car accident in Iowa. http://bit.ly/2ns85mp

From Warren: "Bruce and I are heartbroken over Zac's passing and offer our deepest condolences to his parents, family and friends. Through his dedication and volunteerism, Zac represented the very best of us."

NOTABLE TWEETS

A true public servant:

This fluffy puppy is ready to sniff out corruption at the Capitol today pic.twitter.com/UacoKwQDes — Matt Laslo (@MattLaslo) September 26, 2019

ON TAP

The House and Senate are in. President Trump is heading back to Washington, D.C., this afternoon. Vice President Pence is in Indiana.

10:40 a.m. EDT: President Trump spoke at a joint fundraising committee breakfast in New York City.

11:15 a.m. EDT: Vice President Pence and Karen Pence Karen Sue PenceTrump met with chants of protest as he pays respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg How fast population growth made Arizona a swing state The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden, Pence elbow bump at NYC Sept. 11 ceremony MORE land in Indianapolis, Ind.

12:15 p.m. EDT: Roll call votes in the Senate. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2mRguQ9

1:30 p.m. EDT: President Trump gets back to the White House.

4–5 p.m. EDT: The House votes. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2mYCAA6

WHAT TO WATCH

11 a.m. EDT: Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Matthew Albence held a press briefing. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2mWM9j2

1 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence discusses trade at MacAllister Machinery in Indiana. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2ljgqYX

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Pancake Day.

Another royal wedding coming up!:

Princess Beatrice is engaged to her boyfriend, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi! https://bbc.in/2n0vEm3

Yeah, yeah I know why you're clicking -- here's an up-close photo of the ring: https://pge.sx/2mQMsvT

For context: Beatrice is ninth in line to the throne. What to know about her: http://bit.ly/2lRkOim

And because it's been a long week and this made me smile, here's a dog-toddler band coming to concert venues near you: http://bit.ly/2lpi0Zu