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The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump, Congress return to impeachment, Iran crises | Bolton willing to testify in impeachment trial if subpoenaed | Trump demands quick trial | Pelosi says House to vote on limiting Trump's actions on Iran | Trump vows Iran will 'NEVER' have nuclear weapons | Biden uses general election strategy in Dem primary | Castro endorses Warren | The Bachelor returns for season 24

It’s 2020. Don’t you forget it.

TALK OF THE MORNING

Everyone returning from the holidays like...

President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE and Congress are back in Washington, D.C. this week after the holidays, returning to dueling crises.

No. 1: The looming impeachment trial in the Senate.

No. 2: The international crisis after Trump ordered the killing of a top Iranian official.

What to expect this week: http://bit.ly/2N1pU5N

It’s Monday. 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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LATEST WITH IRAN

It’s no longer 2015:

Via The New York Times’s Alissa J. Rubin, Ben Hubbard, Farnaz Fassihi and Steven Erlanger, Iran announced that it is rolling back its commitments under the 2015 nuclear agreement with the United States. https://nyti.ms/2Fribtu

From the Iranian government: “Iran’s nuclear program will have no limitations in production, including enrichment capacity.”

Keep in mind: President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, but Europe has been trying to keep the terms of the deal.

TRUMP TWEETED THIS MORNING:

“IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!” http://bit.ly/2QSE2iS

House Democrats are sending a message:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPowell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings MORE (D-Calif.) said the House will vote on a resolution to limit President Trump’s military actions towards Iran. http://bit.ly/2QrjZZO

What this “War Powers Resolution” would do: It would require the president to end any military actions against Iran within 30 days if no congressional action is taken.

Yes, but...: Trump would almost definitely veto this bill, and it is unlikely that Democrats can pull together enough votes to override the veto.

Op-ed: http://bit.ly/35swmcn

LATEST WITH THE IMPEACHMENT

Just now — John Bolton John BoltonThe 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 Gary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November MORE is willing to testify:

Via The Hill's Morgan Chalfant, President Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton just said he is willing to testify in the Senate trial if he is subpoenaed. http://bit.ly/2ZXaW5W

Bolton said in a statement: “The House has concluded its Constitutional responsibility by adopting Articles of Impeachment related to the Ukraine matter. It now falls to the Senate to fulfill its Constitutional obligation to try impeachments, and it does not appear possible that a final judicial resolution of the still-unanswered Constitutional questions can be obtained before the Senate acts. Accordingly, since my testimony is once again at issue, I have had to resolve the serious competing issues as best I could, based on careful consideration and study. I have concluded that, if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony, I am prepared to testify."

Why this is newsy: Bolton had previously said a judge would need to decide whether he can testify.

Keep in mind: Trump ousted Bolton from his post in September.

This is a pretty important week:

Via The Hill’s Jordain Carney, “The hardening battle lines come as the two articles of impeachment could be transmitted to the Senate as soon as this week. The House returns to Washington on Tuesday for the first time this year, and Democrats will meet on Wednesday, setting the stage for a crucial decision time.” http://bit.ly/2FvcGKh

Any developments during the holiday break?: Not really. No decisions over witnesses or procedure came out of recess.

On Friday: “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden asks if public can trust vaccine from Trump ahead of Election Day | Oklahoma health officials raised red flags before Trump rally MORE (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise Pelosi, Schumer 'encouraged' by Trump call for bigger coronavirus relief package Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (D-N.Y.) traded barbs during a rare Friday session, with neither appearing closer to conceding. McConnell appeared unmoved by Schumer’s request for Ukraine-related documents and witnesses.” When they last discussed impeachment: Dec. 17. What to expect this week: http://bit.ly/2FvcGKh

This morning — Trump called his impeachment a 'con game,' 'scam,' 'hoax' and 'witch hunt':

President Trump demanded that the impeachment trial be short, accusing Democrats of extending the process for political reasons. http://bit.ly/2FnnnP1

One of his tweets: “The Impeachment Hoax, just a continuation of the Witch Hunt which started even before I won the Election, must end quickly. Read the Transcripts, see the Ukrainian President’s strong statement, NO PRESSURE - get this done. It is a con game by the Dems to help with the Election!” http://bit.ly/2QstM1N

See his full tweets: http://bit.ly/2kTEoGF

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

This a.m. — Picking among your former rivals:

Less than a week after dropping out of the 2020 race for the Democratic presidential nomination, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenNo new taxes for the ultra rich — fix bad tax policy instead Democrats back away from quick reversal of Trump tax cuts It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing presidential candidates MORE (D-Mass.) for president. http://bit.ly/2FnnnP1

Castro made his announcement on Twitter: He tweeted, “Today I'm proud to endorse @ewarren for president. Elizabeth and I share a vision of America where everyone counts. An America where people⁠—not the wealthy or well-connected⁠—are put first. I'm proud to join her in the fight for big, structural change.” http://bit.ly/2tDNlv1

Biden is running a general election campaign:

Via The Hill's Amie Parnes, “Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenThe Memo: Warning signs flash for Trump on debates Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden National postal mail handlers union endorses Biden MORE is running a general election campaign during the Democratic primary. While other candidates are running campaigns tailored to the Democratic base, Biden's message, for the most part, is targeting centrists and independents, a move typically reserved for the general election.”

Keep in mind: “While the strategy can be risky for primary candidates, Democrats say the strategy works well for Biden. He is currently well ahead of his competitors.”

The pros and cons of this strategy: http://bit.ly/2SWNAft

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING ON CAPITOL HILL THIS WEEK

Trade: The Senate Finance Committee is marking up President Trump’s trade deal with Mexico and Canada on Tuesday. Keep in mind: The trade deal already passed the House last month.

A new senator in town: Vice President Pence is swearing in Republican Kelly Loeffler today to be the next senator from Georgia. Why: Loeffler is succeeding Sen. Johnny Isakson Johnny IsaksonBottom line New poll shows tight presidential race in Georgia Matt Lieberman faces calls to drop out of Georgia Senate race over 'racist and discriminatory' tropes in 2018 book MORE (R-Ga.), who stepped down because of his health.

A nomination: The Senate is holding a procedural vote tonight on the nomination of Jovita Carranza to lead the Small Business Administration.

Context and details: http://bit.ly/2tAPgAw

NOTABLE TWEETS

Oh mannnnn — this is the best story I’ve read in a while:

The headline's good, but the rest is even better pic.twitter.com/HHpmPNxR1x — Jessica Cluess (@JessCluess) December 28, 2019

I have so many questions.

ON TAP

The House is out. The Senate meets this afternoon. President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D.C.

11:45 a.m. EST: President Trump participated in a credentialing ceremony for newly appointed ambassadors to Washington, D.C.

12:15 p.m. EST: President Trump receives an intelligence briefing.

1 p.m. EST: President Trump has lunch with Vice President Pence.

2:30 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence swears in the director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.

3 p.m. EST: The Senate meets.

5 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence swears in Sen. Loeffler (R-Ga.) at the U.S. Capitol.

5:30 p.m. EST: The Senate holds a cloture vote on a nomination. The Senate’s full schedule today: http://bit.ly/302yCWU

Tuesday: The House returns.

WHAT TO WATCH

8 p.m. EST: The 24th season of “The Bachelor” kicks off on ABC.

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Shortbread Day.

And to brighten your January Monday, here’s a dog who is absurdly good at Jenga. What even?: http://bit.ly/36p7ZO9