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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 tweets, then denies, that Russia helped him win | Questions linger over Mueller probe | Dems face tough decisions | Former Sen. Cochran dead at 81 | Senate GOP fears intraparty 2020 fight | Trump defends 'well-meaning' officials behind USS McCain order | 2020 Dems boast few legislative wins | National Spelling Bee finals

LATEST WITH THE MUELLER INVESTIGATION

I don't know, I say a lot of things

¯\_(ツ)_/¯:

Early this morning, President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE acknowledged for the first time that Russia aided with his campaign, but then denied it a few minutes later. http://bit.ly/2KfCZYO

The line from Trump's tweet that is getting traction: "I had nothing to do with Russia helping me to get elected." http://bit.ly/30U8I7v

But when Trump was asked about that tweet 20 minutes later, he contradicted himself: "No, Russia did not help me get elected," Trump told reporters before leaving for Colorado Springs, Colo. http://bit.ly/2KfCZYO

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For context -- here are Trump's full tweets: "Russia, Russia, Russia! That's all you heard at the beginning of this Witch Hunt Hoax...And now Russia has disappeared because I had nothing to do with Russia helping me to get elected. It was a crime that didn't exist. So now the Dems and their partner, the Fake News Media, say he fought back against this phony crime that didn't exist, this horrendous false accusation, and he shouldn't fight back, he should just sit back and take it. Could this be Obstruction? No, Mueller didn't find Obstruction either. Presidential Harassment!" http://bit.ly/30U8I7v

Sooooo, what now?:

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 gave a statement yesterday to wrap up his work on the Russia investigation. http://bit.ly/2MiKxg5

HERE ARE FIVE LINGERING QUESTIONS AFTER HIS STATEMENT:

Context and details for each: http://bit.ly/2MiKxg5

It's Thursday. 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 .

Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Out of sight does not mean out of mind:

Via The Wall Street Journal's Rebecca Ballhaus and Gordon Lubold, "The White House wanted the U.S. Navy to move 'out of sight' the warship USS John S. McCain ahead of President Trump's visit to Japan, according to an email reviewed by The Wall Street Journal."

What to know about the ship: "The ship was named after the father and grandfather of the late senator--a war hero who became a frequent target of Mr. Trump's ire--and the senator's name was added to the ship in 2018."

REACTION FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP:

Last night, the president tweeted that he "was not informed about anything having to do with the Navy Ship USS John S. McCain during my recent visit to Japan." http://bit.ly/2Xhzch9

And then this morning: Trump told reporters that whoever made the order was "well meaning." In Trump's words: "I didn't know anything about it. I would never have done that. ... Now, somebody did it because they thought I didn't like him. And they were well-meaning, I will say." http://bit.ly/2Kd2dH1

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Keep in mind about the 2020 Democrats:

Via The Hill's Reid Wilson and Max Greenwood, "Among 2020 Democrats who have worked in Congress, few have worked solo on meaningful legislation." http://bit.ly/2WyMcSq

The evidence: "The Hill's analysis of past legislative activity shows the vast majority of Democratic candidates who have served or still serve in the House and Senate have passed few pieces of legislation on their own."

For example: "Neither Sens. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Nearly 40 Democratic senators call for climate change questions in debates Joe Biden has long forgotten North Carolina: Today's visit is too late MORE (D-Calif.) and Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (D-N.Y.) have ever seen one of their bills signed into law unaltered. Former Reps. John Delaney John DelaneyCoronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Rep. Rodney Davis Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer says Trump right on China but wrong on WHO; CDC issues new guidance for large gatherings The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says country needs to rethink what 'policing' means; US cases surpass 2 million with no end to pandemic in sight MORE (D-Md.) and Beto O'Rourke Beto O'RourkeJimmy Carter says his son smoked pot with Willie Nelson on White House roof O'Rourke endorses Kennedy for Senate: 'A champion for the values we're most proud of' 2020 Democrats do convention Zoom call MORE (D-Texas) left Congress without a single one of their bills signed into law."

What about Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenDimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' CNN's Don Lemon: 'Blow up the entire system' remark taken out of context Democrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court MORE?: "In six years in the Senate, Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has introduced more than 150 bills and dozens more amendments. More than a dozen of those measures are now the law of the land -- but, in a reflection of the way Congress does business today, none of the bills that were signed actually carry her name as a chief sponsor."

What this means for 2020: http://bit.ly/2WyMcSq

MEANWHILE FOR REPUBLICANS -- NEXT YEAR COULD GET UGLY:

Via The Hill's Jordain Carney, "Senate Republicans are facing a potential intraparty brawl as they fight to hold on to the chamber next year." What to expect: http://bit.ly/30WqCGU

Tidbit from the campaign trail -- what a pretty basement:

Amid tornado warnings in the Dallas area, ⁦@JoeBiden⁩ ‘s next campaign event is conveniently in this colorful basement pic.twitter.com/ERXztn7iZG — Katie Glueck (@katieglueck) May 29, 2019

TIDBIT -- I LOVE THE DATELINE:

HuffPost's Kevin Robillard published an interview with Sen. Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.), The story's dateline: "SOMEWHERE ON US-218 BETWEEN MOUNT PLEASANT AND KEOKUK, Iowa" http://bit.ly/2HLzac4

IN CONGRESS

Rest in peace, senator:

Former Sen. Thad Cochran William (Thad) Thad CochranEspy wins Mississippi Senate Democratic primary Bottom Line Mike Espy announces Mississippi Senate bid MORE (R-Miss.) died this morning at the age of 81. Cochran served in Congress for more than 45 years and resigned in April 2018 because of health concerns. http://bit.ly/2Xm4OT2

His family said in a statement: "Cochran's family extends its gratitude for the support shown to the Senator by Mississippians over the years."

About his tenure: "Cochran was first elected to the Senate in 1978 after serving three terms in the House. At the time, he was the first Republican elected statewide in Mississippi in more than 100 years." http://bit.ly/2Xm4OT2

Cochran's obituary in The Washington Post: https://wapo.st/2Qzg2AN

This photo of Cochran will make you smile: http://bit.ly/2MiWLFd

Read Cochran's farewell statement to the Senate in 2018: http://bit.ly/2wuaGO1

It's a disaster bill. A disaster bill, I tell you.:

Via The Hill's Niv Elis, "A $19.1 billion disaster aid bill has been repeatedly tripped up in the House by conservative Republicans, creating an embarrassment for a House GOP coming under fire from Democrats and some of its own members for delaying a package meant to help stricken communities." http://bit.ly/2KfTHab

Bad timing: "To make matters worse, the bipartisan package is being delayed as a series of tornadoes and floods devastate the Midwest and South."

Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2XecNBi

NOTABLE TWEETS

This is pretty wild:

This is one of the craziest lightning strikes you’ll ever see. pic.twitter.com/KPjA0U7auq — Kansas City Media (@KansasCityMedia) May 27, 2019

Watch: http://bit.ly/2HJvtDM

Now we have the perfect stock photo for all future scooter-related stories:

A scooter on fire in the District. pic.twitter.com/UUZZ2Fo8mP — Teddy Amenabar (@TeddyAmen) May 30, 2019

ON TAP

The House and Senate are out. President Trump is in Colorado today and Vice President Pence is in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

11 a.m. EDT: Vice President Pence and second lady Karen Pence Karen Sue PenceHow 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 The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE arrive in Ottawa.

11:55 a.m. EDT: Vice President Pence participates in a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Justin Pierre James TrudeauCanada says former ambassador to US violated conflict-of-interest law No new Canadian COVID-19 deaths reported for first time since mid-March Trudeau announces millions for first 'Black Entrepreneurship Program' MORE.

12:30 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence meets with the Canadian Council for United States-Mexico-Canada Advisory Council.

1:45 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence delivers joint remarks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

6:30 p.m. EDT: Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Dimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' Grand jury charges no officers in Breonna Taylor death MORE (I-Vt.) holds a town hall in East Las Vegas, Nev. Details: http://bit.ly/2JLEsXd

7:45 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence and second lady Karen Pence arrive back in Washington, D.C.

8:10 p.m. EDT: President Trump gets back to the White House.

June 11: The Hill is hosting an event titled "Affordable Housing & the American Dream." Featured speakers: Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) and Steve Stivers Steven (Steve) Ernst StiversBusiness groups back pandemic insurance bill modeled on post-9/11 law National Retail Federation hosts virtual 'store tours' for lawmakers amid coronavirus Stronger patent rights would help promote US technological leadership MORE (R-Ohio). Details and how to RSVP: http://bit.ly/2WpEj1N

June 26–27: The first official 2020 Democratic presidential primary debates.

WHAT TO WATCH

Happening now: The Scripps National Spelling Bee finals. How to watch: On ESPN2 or this link: https://es.pn/2WyOm4u

12:40 p.m. EDT: President Trump speaks at the 2019 U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in Colorado. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2Wesr35

10 p.m. EDT: Sen. Michael Bennet Michael Farrand BennetOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Next crisis, keep people working and give them raises MORE (D-Colo.) participates in a CNN town hall.

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Mint Julep Day.

You guys, the dog mayor is wearing a tie:

"A town in California has a dog for a mayor and you can request a meeting with him." http://bit.ly/2JOyRzw

Amazing: "Phyllis Mueller is Max's human companion, or owner as some people might say. But she answers her phone with the greeting, 'Office of the mayor,' and calls herself his chief of staff."

The full story -- I promise it doesn't disappoint: http://bit.ly/2JOyRzw

Trending -- What a sad frog cake:

The story about an Australian grocery store botching a three-year-old's frog birthday cake is trending again. Photo of the cake -- oh wow: http://bit.ly/2YYKdo1