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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: Breaking -- Day two of Trump trial to begin | What to watch | Dems to begin opening arguments | Sights and sounds from Capitol Hill | Tempers flare during late-night session | Roberts admonishes lawyers, House managers | GOP muscles through trial rules | Trump praises White House lawyers: 'Really good' | Clinton, Sanders fight has Dems on edge | Trump returning from Davos | National Blonde Brownie Day

HAPPENING ON CAPITOL HILL

I hope you enjoy watching lots of bickering and squabbling:

After a late night of arguing over trial rules in the impeachment trial against President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE, the Senate is about to begin the second day of trial proceedings.

When the trial begins today: 1 p.m. EST, just like yesterday. Livestream for today: https://cs.pn/38rIWdZ

WHAT TO WATCH ON DAY TWO OF THE TRIAL:

Day two of the impeachment trial will focus on the substance of the allegations against President Trump, not the procedure that has defined the trial so far. http://bit.ly/2NQmTps

But first -- there is always ~some~ procedure: "But before Democrats can make the case for the articles accusing Trump of abuse of power over his dealings with Ukraine and obstruction of Congress, both sides will have to get through the first round of motions that may come up now that the Senate has set its rules for the trial."

Keep in mind as you watch: Some important terms via PBS's Lisa Desjardins: "Unanimous consent: When every senator silently agrees to something. (It fails if anyone 'objects') Same effect as passing by roll call vote but is lightning fast and easy to miss. Table: This is a motion to KILL an idea. (To set aside, as in put on a table.)" http://bit.ly/37hoGvd

PRESIDENT TRUMP WEIGHED IN ON THE TRIAL SO FAR:

"I did get to see some of it. It's a hoax. It's a total hoax," President Trump said on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "I think the team was really good. The facts are all on our side." http://bit.ly/37kex0V

Happy 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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HIGHLIGHTS FROM YESTERDAY'S TRIAL:

Republicans muscled through a resolution to play the game their way: Senate Republicans pushed through the rules for the trial and rejected Democrats' demands for more witnesses and documents. The vote: 53-47. http://bit.ly/3ay4Ldv

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler Jerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerTop Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence House passes bill to protect pregnant workers House Democrats postpone vote on marijuana decriminalization bill MORE (D-N.Y.) vs. White House lawyers: Nadler accused Republicans of being "afraid" to let former national security adviser John Bolton John BoltonDiplomacy with China is good for America The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep DOJ launches probe into Bolton book for possible classified information disclosures MORE testify because "they know he knows too much." White House legal counsel Pat Cipollone shot back, "the only one who should be embarrassed, Mr. Nadler, is you." This sparked applause in the chamber. http://bit.ly/2RglgDq

Roberts: I will turn this car around!: Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts admonished both sides after a heated clash. http://bit.ly/2RfZC2k

GOP Sen. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsSenate Republicans face tough decision on replacing Ginsburg Democratic senator calls for eliminating filibuster, expanding Supreme Court if GOP fills vacancy What Senate Republicans have said about election-year Supreme Court vacancies MORE (Maine) broke with her party: Collins became the only senator to break with party in the debate over the trial rules. http://bit.ly/30K6l7B

Tidbit -- here is how the trial compares to former President Bill Clinton William (Bill) Jefferson ClintonBarr says Ginsburg 'leaves a towering legacy' Trump reacts to Ginsburg's death: 'An amazing woman who led an amazing life' Jimmy Carter remembers Ruth Bader Ginsburg as 'a beacon of justice' MORE's 1999 impeachment trial: http://bit.ly/2NMa932

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS ON CAPITOL HILL:

A loophole to the electronics rule: Via Roll Call's Katherine Tully-McManus, at least eight senators were wearing Apple Watches, even though they are prohibited from using electronic devices: http://bit.ly/30HLiCJ

Watching the trial: Actress Alyssa Milano "with a great seat, front and center, on the balcony." http://bit.ly/36jhjlD

Also spotted: Former Sen. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeRepublican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden Maybe they just don't like cowboys: The president is successful, some just don't like his style Bush endorsing Biden? Don't hold your breath MORE (R-Ariz.) http://bit.ly/2NKBliQ

It was a long day for everyone -- a few senators may have dozed off: The Hill's Jordain Carney tweeted at 11:06 p.m. EST last night: "Got to say senators looking VERY TIRED out there. Open debate among reporters about if McConnell was drifting at moments (his glasses make it hard to tell). Cantwell was spotted with eyes closed and arms crossed for several seconds; Warner briefly had his hands over his eyes" http://bit.ly/2RisvuT

Haha, this is sooo relatable:

The press is confined to a small pen: Here's a photo: http://bit.ly/2ujNQeb

This makes my neck hurt: Everyone is looking down at their phones. This makes me want to adjust my posture. Photo: http://bit.ly/2RQmgxt

The vibe in the chamber: "The atmosphere in the chamber is extremely focused, almost tense. Many senators are sitting up in their seats and taking extensive notes." (Via CBS's Grace Segers) The vibe throughout the day: http://bit.ly/3avta3B

Lol: "And the award for pinkest fuzzy impeachment coat goes to..." Photo: http://bit.ly/2REuhoN

Haha!:

Senator Leahy, retrieving his cell phone during the recess break, just did an impression of Gollum in order to convey what it’s been like when senators get back their phones: “Ohhhh my precious!” — Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) January 21, 2020

Schiff used this phrase on the House floor: "Pardon the expression, 'ass backwards.'" http://bit.ly/2tDMFX1

^By the way, this isn't the first time 'ass backwards' has been said on the Senate floor: http://bit.ly/38kRK5k

Photo of Chief Justice Roberts arriving at the Capitol: http://bit.ly/30IcaCG

Throwback: Here's a photo of one of White House impeachment trial lawyer Jay Sekulow Jay Alan SekulowNow, we need the election monitors Judge denies Trump's request for a stay on subpoena for tax records Judge throws out Trump effort to block subpoena for tax returns MORE's first C-SPAN appearances in 1991: (Via C-SPAN's Howard Mortman) http://bit.ly/2Rl1LKh

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

The headlines in the news are about Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhat Senate Republicans have said about election-year Supreme Court vacancies Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Trump carries on with rally, unaware of Ginsburg's death MORE, Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersKenosha will be a good bellwether in 2020 Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? McConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security MORE and Donald Trump -- it really will be 2016 for ever:

Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley and Amie Parnes, "Hillary Clinton has torn open old wounds from her divisive 2016 battle with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), putting Democrats on edge about whether the party will be able to unite after a 2020 primary that has produced new fault lines between the center and the left." http://bit.ly/36gqZgQ

Why this worries progressives: "Clinton's attacks on Sanders -- and her refusal to commit to endorsing him or campaigning for him if he wins the Democratic presidential nomination -- infuriated progressives and raised new fears among Democrats about whether supporters for the losing candidates will turn out for the nominee against President Trump in November.:

NOTABLE TWEETS

Hahahah, I appreciate this:

I had watched this clip several times, but hadn't noticed the mascot!:

There's so much to unpack in the Kansas K-State brawl but we should take a moment to appreciate the Jayhawk staying in character to solemnly cover his mascot eyes and look away because he can't bear to watch pic.twitter.com/1Z4RFDI7KH — Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) January 22, 2020

Watch: http://bit.ly/36gpE9X

ON TAP

The Senate is in. The House is out. President Trump is returning from Davos, Switzerland. Vice President Pence is leaving for Israel this afternoon.

1 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence and Karen Pence Karen Sue PenceThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden, Pence elbow bump at NYC Sept. 11 ceremony The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill Pentagon, Trump, Biden to mark 9/11 anniversary MORE leave Washington, D.C. and head to Tel Aviv, Israel.

5:10 p.m. EST: President Trump gets back to the White House.

90 days from now: President Trump says he will unveil a new tax-cut proposal within the next three months. Details: http://bit.ly/37hbqqH

WHAT TO WATCH

1 p.m. EST: Day 2 of the impeachment trial against President Trump. Livestream: https://cs.pn/38rIWdZ

3:45 p.m. EST: Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a 2020 contender, speaks at the U.S Conference of Mayors annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2NPWIPP

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Blonde Brownie Day.

And to break up your Wednesday afternoon, here are pet shop birds having a turf war: http://bit.ly/2NN4jyA