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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 sparks confusion over census citizenship question | Says he is 'moving forward' | What to know about Trump's Fourth of July event | Trump defends plans | White House insists event won't be political | Tanks arrive in DC | Biden raises $21.5M for quarter | Warren, Harris now tie Biden in Iowa poll | Biden losing black support | Sanders slips in polls | Netflix's 'Stranger Things' back for season 3

NEWS OF THE MORNING

Drop it like it's hot, drop it like it's ~not~:

President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE just added confusion to whether the citizenship question has been removed from the 2020 census after the Supreme Court ruled against the move. http://bit.ly/2YuNsnr

Trump just tweeted: "The News Reports about the Department of Commerce dropping its quest to put the Citizenship Question on the Census is incorrect or, to state it differently, FAKE! We are absolutely moving forward, as we must, because of the importance of the answer to this question." http://bit.ly/2YsnAs5

Why this is confusing: Yesterday, the Trump administration announced that it would remove the question and not move forward with trying to add it. http://bit.ly/2YrNU5K

From Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross Wilbur Louis RossTrump admin asks Supreme Court to fast-track excluding people in U.S. illegally from census Trump 'very happy' to allow TikTok to operate in US if security concerns resolved TikTok, WeChat to be banned Sunday from US app stores MORE: "I respect the Supreme Court but strongly disagree with its ruling regarding my decision to reinstate a citizenship question on the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau has started the process of printing the decennial questionnaires without the question." http://bit.ly/2YvEIx9

How the news first broke yesterday: Former Obama White House lawyer Daniel Jacobson tweeted a screenshot of the email with the announcement.

Here’s the email from DOJ pic.twitter.com/PdyfK0a1hJ — Daniel Jacobson (@Dan_F_Jacobson) July 2, 2019

INITIAL REACTION FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP LAST NIGHT:

He tweeted: "A very sad time for America when the Supreme Court of the United States won't allow a question of 'Is this person a Citizen of the United States?' to be asked on the #2020 Census! Going on for a long time. I have asked the Department of Commerce and the Department of Justice ... to do whatever is necessary to bring this most vital of questions, and this very important case, to a successful conclusion. USA! USA! USA!" http://bit.ly/2YCB30V

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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PROGRAMMING NOTE: The 12:30 Report will be off tomorrow and Friday for the holiday weekend. Happy Fourth of July and have a s’more for me! ;)

THE FOURTH OF JULY IN D.C.

You're a grand old flag.

No, ~you're~ a grand old flag.

No, ~you~ are.:

WHAT TO EXPECT:

A military flyover, an address from President Trump, band performances and a firework show. https://cbsn.ws/2FRbemd

It is possible that Air Force One will fly over?: A source told NBC News that Air Force One may fly over. Though, without President Trump onboard, it is not technically called "Air Force One," but one of the two planes used to fly the president. Other military aircraft will also fly over. https://nbcnews.to/2FNEWZq

The tanks ... have arrived!: Here is a photo of two tanks arriving at the Lincoln Memorial last night: http://bit.ly/2FPAQQl

Will the address be political?: Via The Hill's Brett Samuels, the White House insists that President Trump's speech will not be political. Yeah, but: Some of Trump's political opponents aren't buying it. http://bit.ly/2FPkjMp

^ This morning from Trump: "The cost of our great Salute to America tomorrow will be very little compared to what it is worth. We own the planes, we have the pilots, the airport is right next door (Andrews), all we need is the fuel. We own the tanks and all. Fireworks are donated by two of the greats. Nice!" http://bit.ly/2Ywr2SA

LOGISTICS:

What time do gates open: 3:30 p.m.

What time President Trump is set to speak: Around 6:30 p.m.

What time are the fireworks?: The concert and show are scheduled for 8-9:30 p.m. The fireworks are expected from 9:07-9:27 p.m.

The Metro: The D.C. Metro will run from 7 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. "Parking at all Metrorail facilities will be free." http://bit.ly/2FPiorb

List of prohibited items if you are attending the concert: http://bit.ly/2FOST9A

CELEBRATING IN D.C.:

Free Lyft rides to prevent drunk driving: Via Popville, Washington Regional Alcohol Program has teamed up with Lyft to offer free rides in the Washington, D.C., area from 7 p.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday. How to redeem: http://bit.ly/2Yu2Znl

Here is a list of what is open and what is closed in the city: Via WTOP Radio: http://bit.ly/2FPiorb

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Inside the secret Border Patrol Facebook group:

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said he is looking into reports of a secret Facebook group with Border Patrol agents posting derogatory messages against migrants and lawmakers.

McAleenan tweeted: "Reporting this week highlighted disturbing & inexcusable social media activity that allegedly includes active Border Patrol personnel. These statements are completely unacceptable, especially if made by those sworn to uphold the @DHSgov mission, our values & standards of conduct." His full tweets: http://bit.ly/2Yvzamj

BACK STORY FROM PRO PUBLICA:

"Inside the Secret Border Patrol Facebook Group Where Agents Joke About Migrant Deaths and Post Sexist Memes: The three-year-old group, which has roughly 9,500 members, shared derogatory comments about Latina lawmakers who plan to visit a controversial Texas detention facility on Monday, calling them 'scum buckets' and 'hoes.' " The full report: http://bit.ly/2YuG8YZ

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

The Bern may be cooling off:

Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley, "Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Bernie Sanders: 'This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome MORE(I-Vt.) is slipping in polls following the first Democratic debate, raising questions about whether he can recapture the insurgent energy that nearly carried him to the party's presidential nomination in 2016." http://bit.ly/2Ywlnfi

What the Sanders campaign says: "The Sanders campaign says those counting him out are once again underestimating a candidate who surprised the political world three years ago and remains a small-dollar fundraising juggernaut with an enthusiastic core of supporters. Sanders has an inexhaustible base of grass-roots donors that will churn out tens of millions of dollars for him as long as he's in the race."

New polls:

-- Biden's support among black voters drops: According to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE's support among black voters has dropped from 40 percent to 20 percent. http://bit.ly/2Ywaomb

-- Warren, Harris surge in Iowa: According to a new poll conducted by Democratic pollster David Binder, "Sens. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Democratic senators ask inspector general to investigate IRS use of location tracking service MORE (D-Mass.) and Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHundreds of lawyers from nation's oldest African American sorority join effort to fight voter suppression Biden picks up endorsement from progressive climate group 350 Action 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-Calif.) have surged into a virtual tie with former Vice President Joe Biden in Iowa after last week's debates." http://bit.ly/2Yr9Iyq

Just announced — Biden’s fundraising numbers:

Former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign raised $21.5 million in the second quarter of 2019. http://bit.ly/2Yqd7xv

For context:

“Buttigieg: $24.8M

Biden: $21.5M

Sanders: $18.2M” http://bit.ly/2YvyNs6

Keep in mind: Q2 started on April 1. Biden launched his formal campaign on April 25. http://bit.ly/2YrgW5w

NOTABLE TWEETS

The tanks on their journey to D.C.:

ON TAP

The House and Senate are out for the week. President Trump is in Washington, D.C. Vice President Pence has no public events on his schedule.

Noon: President Trump received an intelligence briefing in the Oval Office.

12:45 p.m. EDT: President Trump has lunch with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoPutin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Pompeo accused of stumping for Trump ahead of election MORE.

July 17: Special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE will testify before the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees. http://bit.ly/2Llw8gS

WHAT TO WATCH

6:45 p.m. EDT: Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) holds a town hall in Des Moines, Iowa. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2YtUOrh

Thursday: Netflix's hit series "Stranger Things" returns for Season 3. What to remember from the previous seasons: https://bzfd.it/2YuzX7l

Friday morning: Former Vice President Joe Biden's interview with CNN's Chris Cuomo Chris CuomoCNN's Don Lemon: 'Blow up the entire system' remark taken out of context CNN's Lemon: 'We're going to have to blow up the entire system' if Democrats win back White House, Senate Giuliani criticizes NYC leadership: 'They're killing this city' MORE airs on CNN's "New Day." http://bit.ly/2YsrWzL

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Fried Clam Day.