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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: Democrats turn to obstruction charge | What to watch on trial's fourth day | GOP warns of 'drawn out' battle over Bolton | Trump complains about starting defense on Saturday: 'Death Valley' on TV | Latest impeachment ratings | Senate candy desk gets restocked | Second coronavirus case in US | Officials brief senators on outbreak | Trump to hold NH rally on eve of primary | Michigan governor to give Dem response to State of the Union | National Peanut Butter Day

NEWS THIS MORNING

A quick detour from the impeachment trial:

Top health officials are briefing senators about the outbreak of the new coronavirus. http://bit.ly/2NVC1BW

Which agencies are briefing senators: Officials from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and The State Department. http://bit.ly/2TRN1UI

Confirmed this morning -- a second case of coronavirus in the United States:

Via The Hill's Peter Sullivan, the CDC just confirmed a second U.S. case of coronavirus in the United States. http://bit.ly/2NY2df4

Where: In Chicago

Who: A woman in her 60s who had traveled to Wuhan, China, the center of the outbreak.

Any other cases?: Officials are investigating 63 cases in 22 states, but only two have been confirmed as the coronavirus.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS:

Via CNET, "A never-before-seen virus detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan has claimed at least 26 lives and infected hundreds of Chinese citizens with a pneumonia-like illness, according to China's National Health Commission. The virus was first reported to the World Health Organization on Dec. 31 and has been under investigation since. Chinese scientists have linked the disease to a family of viruses known as coronaviruses, which include the deadly SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome." https://cnet.co/2vcOJpg

Happy Friday! 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 THE IMPEACHMENT

President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE is not happy about the timing:

The president tweeted this morning, "After having been treated unbelievably unfairly in the House, and then having to endure hour after hour of lies, fraud & deception by Shifty Schiff, Cryin' Chuck Schumer Chuck SchumerVideo of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Graham signals support for confirming a Supreme Court nominee this year Pelosi orders Capitol flags at half-staff to honor Ginsburg MORE & their crew, looks like my lawyers will be forced to start on Saturday, which is called Death Valley in T.V.." http://bit.ly/2NY6E9I

WHAT TO WATCH TODAY:

Today is the last day for Democratic opening arguments. Democrats are expected to focus on the second article of impeachment: obstruction of Congress. Full preview: http://bit.ly/2RNpBx1

Helpful timeline:

Plausible trial timeline:



-Sat - Mon: WH defense

-Tues-Wed: Senate questions

-Thurs: Debate on witnesses

-Fri: If no witnesses, closings arguments

-Fri-Sat: Deliberations -

-Sat 2/1 or Mon 2/3: Vote



Witnesses would add at least a week. — Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) January 24, 2020

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

Holy Hershey's!!:

Outside @SenToomey’s office: close to 1000 Hershey bars with almonds to stock the Senate candy desk as the impeachment trial rolls on pic.twitter.com/iAx6ffW1TJ — Jonathan Tamari (@JonathanTamari) January 24, 2020

Back story to the candy: "The famous candy desk on the Senate floor is getting restocked on Friday after hungry senators diminished the supply during the early days of the impeachment trial." Via The Hill's Alex Gangitano: http://bit.ly/2tEtFI9

Aw, there was cake!: A birthday cake for Sen. Tom Carper Thomas (Tom) Richard CarperDemocrat asks for probe of EPA's use of politically appointed lawyers Overnight Energy: Study links coronavirus mortality to air pollution exposure | Low-income, minority households pay more for utilities: report OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium MORE (D-Del.) was spotted near the Senate. (Via NBC's Alex Moe) Photo of the pre-sliced cake: http://bit.ly/2tMnDoJ

Extra security screening for reporters: "Trial is underway but reporters are waiting to go through the extra layer of security SSA put in the gallery. The police officer is stopping people to check their wrists, for smart watches?" (Via The Hill's Jordain Carney) Photo: http://bit.ly/38FrzGL

Throwback:

WOW, Nadler now using a 1999 video of @LindseyGrahamSC talking about "high crimes" during Clinton impeachment.



Rough Quote: "It doesn't even have to be a crime. It is when you start using your office in a way that hurts people, you committed a high crime." pic.twitter.com/MRM2tmKuNg — Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) January 23, 2020

TRIAL RATINGS:

On Tuesday: Roughly 11 million people watched the trial.

On Wednesday: 8.9 million people watched.

From Reuters, https://reut.rs/2RQg0pa

For context: Via The Hill's Joe Concha:

"20.5M watched the Kavanaugh hearings

19.5M watched Comey testify before the Sen. Intel Cmte

16M watched Michael Cohen Michael Dean CohenA huge deal for campaign disclosure: Trump's tax records for Biden's medical records Our Constitution is under attack by Attorney General William Barr Eric Trump says he will comply with New York AG's subpoena only after Election Day MORE testify Oversight Cmte

13.1M watched Day 1 of the House impeachment hearings" http://bit.ly/38Ft0VF

But, but, I have already run out of impeachment-related puns:

Via The Hill's Jordain Carney and John Kruzel, Republicans are warning their colleagues that a battle over executive privilege by calling on 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 to testify at the impeachment trial could draw out the trial by weeks, if not months. http://bit.ly/2TVH6xJ

What could happen -- a length legal battle: "GOP senators expect Trump to make good on his suggestion that he could invoke executive privilege to avoid complying with subpoenas stemming from the trial. Legal experts are divided over exactly how the dispute would unfold, and under what timeframe, but some believe it could lead to a lengthy court battle involving largely untested legal questions."

Just sit back and hear your name:

Via The Hill's Jordain Carney, "Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Trump expects to nominate woman to replace Ginsburg next week Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral MORE and his son Hunter Biden aren't on trial in the Senate, but that's done little to stop them from dominating the conversation in the Capitol." http://bit.ly/37p0hUL

How so: "The GOP feud with the Bidens has loomed over President Trump's impeachment trial, from the dozens of mentions by the House impeachment managers to questions being fielded by senators amid the media frenzy. The pattern has become self-fulfilling: The more House managers mention the Bidens, the more Senate Republicans bring them up, the more Senate Democrats get asked about them as potential witnesses."

IN OTHER NEWS

Ready to rebut:

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been chosen to deliver Democrats' response to President Trump's State of the Union address on Feb. 4. http://bit.ly/2vmVLYV

NOTABLE TWEETS

Oh, hello there!:

ON TAP

The Senate is in. The House is out. President Trump is in Washington, D.C. Vice President Pence is in Rome.

6 a.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 met with Pope Francis. http://bit.ly/2GhWwVa

12:15 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence and Karen Pence attend a reception for military spouses in Rome.

12:05 p.m. EST: President Trump arrives at the National Mall for the March for Life.

12:15 p.m. EST: President Trump speaks at the 47th annual March for Life.

3 p.m. EST: President Trump meets with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Trump steps up Iran fight in final election stretch MORE.

4:15 p.m. EST: President Trump delivers remarks to mayors on "transforming America's communities."

January 30: The Hill is hosting an event, "A More Perfect Union?" Details and how to RSVP: http://bit.ly/2NX2miT

February 10: President Trump is holding a campaign rally in Manchester, N.H., on the eve of the first-in-the-nation primary. http://bit.ly/38CDCV0

WHAT TO WATCH

11:45 a.m. EST: Former Vice President Joe Biden campaigns in Claremont, N.H. Livestream: https://cs.pn/38HL0id

1 p.m. EST: The Senate impeachment trial against President Trump continues. Livestream: https://cs.pn/3aOLghc

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Peanut Butter Day.

And to get your weekend off to an entertaining start, here is a dog who requires LOTS of attention in the car: http://bit.ly/2GleiXz