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The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump says Iran 'appears to be standing down' after missile attack | President confirms no Americans 'harmed' | Vows to impose 'punishing' new Iran sanctions | How attack shook Washington | What's next | Address comes after senators urged Trump to deescalate | Trump tells ally he sees chance for new Iran talks | Lawmakers divided on war powers measure

BREAKING

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 addresses the nation:

Flanked by White House officials and military advisers, President Trump addressed the American people on last night's missile attacks on two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops. http://bit.ly/2sMUYiZ

The gist of Trump's address: Trump said Iran "appears to be standing down," confirmed that no American lives were lost and vowed that his administration will impose new sanctions on Iran.

Livestream of Trump's remarks: http://bit.ly/2Fvlgc3

Photo of the press in the Grand Foyer: http://bit.ly/2QAL393

Trump's timing: The president was expected to give his address at 11 a.m. and began at 11:27 a.m. EST

NEWS FROM THE ADDRESS:

Before Trump even said "good morning": He walked out and immediately said, "As long as I'm president of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon." He then added, "good morning" and began his address.

Trump confirms that no Americans were harmed last night: "No Americans were harmed in last night's attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe."

On the damage from the attack: "Only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases."

Trump announced new sanctions: "The U.S. will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime."

Trump's message to Iran: "To the people and leaders of Iran, we want you to have a future -- and a great future, one that you deserve ... the United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it."

On Iran now: "Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.

Trump said he will ask NATO to be more involved: "Today, I am going to ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East process."

On American strength -- basically, 'don't mess': "Our missiles are big, powerful, accurate, lethal and fast. Under construction are many hypersonic missiles. The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent."

TIDBIT -- SEN. JIM INHOFE (R-OKLA.) TALKED TO TRUMP AROUND 9 P.M.:

"He believes very strongly that that opens the door for negotiations," Inhofe, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said about Trump. And Inhofe said he doesn't think Trump will respond with force. "I'd be very shocked if he would do that. In fact, there's no reason for retaliation." http://bit.ly/2T3PU4h

REPUBLICAN SENATORS HAD URGED TRUMP TO DEESCALATE IRAN TENSIONS:

Top Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Loeffler calls for hearing in wake of Netflix's 'Cuties' Quinnipiac poll shows Graham, Harrison tied in South Carolina Senate race MORE (R-S.C.): "Retaliation for the sake of retaliation is not necessary at this time ... What is necessary is to lay out our strategic objectives regarding Iran in a simple and firm fashion."

Sen. Mike Lee Michael (Mike) Shumway LeeMcConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package McConnell tries to unify GOP Davis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump MORE (R-Utah): "Whether further military action is warranted is a question that should be answered by Congress. The U.S. should seek to deescalate these raised tensions and I will continue to push to bring our troops back from the region."

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.) praised Trump: "I believe the President wants to avoid conflict or needless loss of life but he's rightly prepared to protect American lives and interests and I hope Iran's leaders do not miscalculate by questioning our collective will in launching further attacks." http://bit.ly/2tH5bgG

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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TALK OF THE MORNING

Iranian fired missiles onto military bases in Iraq:

Via The Associated Press, "Iran struck back at the United States early on Wednesday for killing its most powerful military commander, firing a barrage of ballistic missiles at two Iraqi military bases that house American troops in what the Iranian supreme leader said was a 'slap' against America's military presence in the region." http://bit.ly/2QWS17n

The toll: U.S. and Iraqi officials both said there were no casualties in their forces. Iran is claiming that at least 80 U.S. troops were killed. https://wapo.st/2T5MNJo

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

The U.S. had advance warning of the attack: Via USA Today's Tom Vanden Brook and John Bacon, "the warnings allowed troops and other personnel to scramble into hardened bunkers for safety. U.S. and coalition personnel in Iraq on the mission to combat ISIS have been practicing drills for missile attacks for some time, [an unnamed] official said." http://bit.ly/2uuYq29

Video of the missiles: https://wapo.st/39Pfnob

Who was in the Situation Room last night with President Trump: Via Bloomberg's Jennifer Jacobs:

"Mike Pence Michael (Mike) Richard PenceGOP short of votes on Trump's controversial Fed pick Pence seeks to boost Daines in critical Montana Senate race The Hill's Campaign Report: Trump's rally risk | Biden ramps up legal team | Biden hits Trump over climate policy MORE

Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep Trump's foreign policy successes confound his detractors It's time for a Jackson-Vanik Amendment for China MORE

Mark Esper Mark EsperOvernight Defense: Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing l Air Force reveals it secretly built and flew new fighter jet l Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Oldest living US World War II veteran turns 111 Overnight Defense: US marks 19th anniversary of 9/11 attacks | Trump awards Medal of Honor to Army Ranger for hostage rescue mission | Bahrain, Israel normalizing diplomatic ties MORE

Mark Milley

Mick Mulvaney Mick MulvaneyMick Mulvaney to start hedge fund Fauci says positive White House task force reports don't always match what he hears on the ground Bottom line MORE

Robert O'Brien

Joseph Maguire Joseph MaguireCongressional Democrats request FBI briefing on foreign election interference efforts Wells Fargo told employees to delete TikTok from work phones Hillicon Valley: Pompeo floats TikTok ban | Civil rights groups slam Facebook after call | Election security funding included in proposal MORE

Stephanie Grisham Stephanie GrishamIvana Trump on Melania as first lady: 'She's very quiet, and she really doesn't go to too many places' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump uses White House as campaign backdrop Coronavirus tests not required for all Melania Trump speech attendees: report MORE.

CIA's Gina Haspel Gina Cheri HaspelRussian bounties revive Trump-GOP foreign policy divide Overnight Defense: House panel votes to ban Confederate flag on all Pentagon property | DOD report says Russia working to speed US withdrawal from Afghanistan | 'Gang of Eight' to get briefing on bounties Thursday Top intelligence officials to brief Gang of Eight on Thursday MORE joined remotely." http://bit.ly/35A5lni

Tidbit about officials arriving at the White House: "Defense Secretary Esper just arrived at the White House carrying a large bag. Secretary Pompeo, seen reading in his car before he got out, also arrived." (Via CNN's Kaitlan Collins) http://bit.ly/2FuV8Oz

Keep in mind about vacant positions: Journalist Garrett Graff pointed out: "Reminder that as this crisis escalates, we have no Director of National Intelligence, no Dep Dir, no Homeland Security Secretary, no Dep Sec, no head of CBP or ICE, no State Dept Under Sec of Arms Control, no Asst Sec for Europe, and no Navy Sec." http://bit.ly/35AY1bl

How 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.) found out: http://bit.ly/35zhlFR

Important to remember, missiles are not rockets: CBS's Christina Ruffini tweeted,

"DEAR EVERYONE: this is your friendly reminder that rockets and missiles are not interchangeable terms.

-Rockets are directional (you point the it at the thing, and it goes where it was pointed at the time of launch).

-Missiles are projectiles that are guided in flight." http://bit.ly/2Fsm9lR

REACTIONS:

President Trump tweeted shortly after the attack: "All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning." http://bit.ly/2Qx5t2K

Iran's foreign minister is hoping this 'concludes' the back and forth: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted, "Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched. We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression." http://bit.ly/307zgST

A senior Iranian official trolled Trump: An Iranian official tweeted a photo of the Iranian flag as Tehran launched missiles in retaliation. Why: Shortly after reports that a drone strike killed Qassem Soleimani, President Trump tweeted a photo of the American flag. See the flag tweets: http://bit.ly/307Drhx

Trump's Jan. 2 tweet: http://bit.ly/2FuDASJ

Saeed Jalili's Jan. 7 tweet mocking Trump: http://bit.ly/2FwVowt

WHAT'S NEXT:

'Missile Strike Damage Appears Limited, but Iran May Not Be Done': Via The New York Times's Alissa J. Rubin: https://nyti.ms/2T0g3Bb

'Iran leaves Trump an off-ramp, but will he take it?': Via NBC's Josh Lederman: https://nbcnews.to/37LioUx

Interesting read on the uncertainty over Trump's strategy: "If even the Pentagon does not know whether it is coming or going in Iraq, it might be hard to blame the rest of the world for being a little confused about President Trump's strategy for the Middle East." (Via The New York Times's Peter Baker) The full analysis: https://nyti.ms/2T5unIG

MEANWHILE IN CONGRESS

'Unlikely bedfellows':

Via The Hill's Rebecca Kheel, Friction is flaring in Congress between defense hawks and opponents of so-called forever wars after President Trump's order to kill a top Iranian general." http://bit.ly/2QYgSHV

For example: "The clash has made for some unlikely bedfellows, as typical Trump allies such as Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulGOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill Overnight Health Care: Senate Democrats block GOP relief bill | Democrats reveal Medicaid chief's spending on high-paid consultants | Trump calls question about why he 'lied' about COVID-19 a 'disgrace' MORE (R-Ky.) and Fox News host Tucker Carlson Tucker CarlsonTrump tweets his people have all left Drudge Trump: Drudge no longer 'hot' Tucker Carlson: Climate change is 'systemic racism in the sky' MORE rail against the president's decision and echo Democrats' concerns about the possibility of military conflict with Iran."

Happening today on Capitol Hill: The full House and Senate will be briefed behind closed doors on the airstrike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

NEW POLL ON THE STRIKE AGAINST SOLEIMANI:

47 percent of American voters approve of President Trump's decision to kill Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, according to a new Morning Consult poll. http://bit.ly/39V5sxx

Looking deeper into the poll -- it split along party lines: "The opinions divided strongly along with partisan lines, with 70 percent of Democrats opposing the airstrike and 85 percent of Republicans supporting it. Sixty-one percent of Republican respondents said they strongly approved Trump's decision."

The full poll: http://bit.ly/2T4Pqer

HOW IMPEACHMENT COMPLICATES CONGRESS'S EFFORTS TO REIN IN TRUMP ON IRAN:

Via The Hill's Jordain Carney: http://bit.ly/2QVOAxQ

NOTABLE TWEETS

Lol, I feel this:

This 14 month-old was helping his dad shovel in Newfoundland after yesterday’s 15-inches of snowfall - when he glitched... pic.twitter.com/IPSyJqjZHB — Rex Chapman (@RexChapman) January 8, 2020

Watch: http://bit.ly/37KtRUr

ON TAP

The House and Senate are in. President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D.C.

11 a.m. EST: Three cloture votes in the Senate. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2FsxUbQ

2:15 P.M. EST: President Trump receives an intelligence briefing.

3:45 ­– 4:45 p.m. EST: The House votes. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2FsxUbQ

WHAT TO WATCH

11 a.m. EST: President Trump addressed the nation. Livestream: http://bit.ly/36zSeEh

6:10 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 participate in a reception for the prime minister of Greece and his wife. Livestream: http://bit.ly/36zSoeR

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National English Toffee Day.

The best news of the year:

Krispy Kreme is now selling mini doughnuts that are less than 100 calories each. Details and photo: https://cnn.it/39TrZKP

The best places to eat in 2020:

Yelp unveiled its list of the top 100 places to eat in America, including Farmbird in Washington, D.C.

Check out the full list: http://bit.ly/35DJCLf

And because you made it this far, here's a goose parade: http://bit.ly/35taSfC