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The Hill's 12:30 Report — Dems open public impeachment hearings | Sights and sounds f| Taylor says Trump cared more about 'investigations' than Ukraine | Key players to watch | GOP moves to subpoena whistleblower | Trump goes on tweeting offensive | WH says Trump not watching hearings | More hearings set for next week | Protesters brave cold snap | Trump meeting with Turkish President Erdoğan | DC bars host impeachment watch parties | 'Friends' cast in talks over reunion special

BREAKING

To the races!:

The House Intelligence Committee is holding its first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry against President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE.

Who is testifying today: William Taylor, chargé d'affaires for Ukraine and George Kent, deputy assistant secretary in the European and Eurasian Bureau at the State Department. What to know about Taylor: http://bit.ly/2pehorp And what to know about Kent: http://bit.ly/32IaAQw

Livestream of the hearing: http://bit.ly/2Qfg9Dq

Live blog of updates: http://bit.ly/2KjGEDX

NEWS FROM THE HEARING:

William Taylor on Trump: Taylor said that in July, U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland told a staff member that President Trump cared more about investigating former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE than he did about Ukraine. http://bit.ly/2Oc8tPA

George Kent on Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting CIA found Putin 'probably directing' campaign against Biden: report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate MORE: "In mid-August, it became clear to me that Giuliani's efforts to gin up politically- motivated investigations were now infecting U.S. engagement with Ukraine, leveraging President Zelensky's desire for a White House meeting." http://bit.ly/375T64e

William Taylor on his testimony: "I am not here to take one side or the other, or to advocate for any particular outcome of these proceedings." Watch: http://bit.ly/33L46lo

Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffSchiff to subpoena top DHS official, alleges whistleblower deposition is being stonewalled Schiff claims DHS is blocking whistleblower's access to records before testimony GOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power MORE on the whistleblower: "I do not know the identity of the whistleblower." http://bit.ly/34XeNkY

Republicans tried to subpoena the whistleblower: Schiff said a vote on the motion will happen after witness testimony. It's almost certain it will not pass in the Democratic-controlled committee. http://bit.ly/2CLXXcx

Taylor on the Ukrainian aid: "This assistance allows the Ukrainian military to deter further incursions by the Russians against Ukrainian territory. If that further incursion takes place, more Ukrainians would die." http://bit.ly/2KjGEDX

It's a busy Wednesday on Capitol Hill. 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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SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM THE HEARING:

It wouldn't be a big hearing without protesters: Here's a woman wearing a t-shirt that reads, "ARREST TRUMP." An officer told her to stop demonstrating. Watch: http://bit.ly/3504BIt

Notice as you're watching: There are seven camera angles covering the hearing. The camera angles: http://bit.ly/2O4czcI

Fox News's graphics during the hearing: Note the graphics about Adam Schiff. http://bit.ly/2O6VVcA

'Why's everyone look at me??': Here's a photo of William Taylor walking into the hearing: http://bit.ly/2Kjgwt7

I always love this photo: Here are cameras crowding around the empty witness table. Photo: http://bit.ly/373U28S

The telephone booths are getting good use!: Here's a photo of journalists working from the telephone booths: http://bit.ly/33Kilqr

The early birds: Here's a photo of the early morning TV live shots: http://bit.ly/2pfjCa9

Before the room was chaos: Here are a few behind-the-scenes photos of the camera setup and assigned seats. Photos: http://bit.ly/33Lyg7Z

How many journalists: Via The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jonathan Tamari, around 110 journalists are expected. http://bit.ly/2Qj6WKn

Where the hearing is happening: In the Ways and Means Committee room, which is spacious and good for TV coverage.

The line to get in:

The public line to get into the impeachment hearing. pic.twitter.com/S2r6aveUAR — Cate Martel (@CateMartel) November 13, 2019

Watch: http://bit.ly/34ZhbHO

REACTIONS THROUGHOUT THE MORNING:

From President Trump: He tweeted, "NEVER TRUMPERS!" followed by "READ THE TRANSCRIPT!"

Trump is reportedly not watching: "He's in the Oval in meetings. Not watching. He's working," said White House press secretary 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. http://bit.ly/2KjGEDX

^ Yeah, but: The president has been retweeting clips of the hearing. Check out his Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2kTEoGF

From Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' House to vote on resolution affirming peaceful transition of power Republican lawyers brush off Trump's election comments MORE (R-Ky.) on the Senate floor: "It's hardly surprising that this partisan journey is not yielding a neutral process. Unfortunately it's also crowding out important legislation for the American people." http://bit.ly/2rIUTfn

From Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE: "Look, there's a lot of noise. There'll be noise today. There'll be noise for the rest of this week," Pompeo said on Hugh Hewitt's radio show. "I've told the team to stay focused. There's all this chatter, but then there's challenges and opportunities for America around the world." http://bit.ly/2O6UU4d

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS AROUND D.C.:

You! Can! Pet! Puppers!: Pet Partners and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) brought therapy animals to Capitol Hill today. Details: Now until 3 p.m. EST in Hart 902 and Rayburn 2043, 2044.

^ Here's video from the event: That dog is so fluffy! Watch: http://bit.ly/2qdyYfA

Punny drinks: Union Pub opened at 9:50 a.m. EST this morning for a watch party. Their drinks: "ImPEACHment Please" and "I Got 99 Problems but Impeachment Ain't One." http://bit.ly/32KiZDd

^Ahh, next time: "If you like subpoena coladas.........." (Tweet from Reuters' Patricia Zengerle) http://bit.ly/372jWdh

At Capitol Lounge:

AS YOU'RE WATCHING -- HERE ARE THE KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

– House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.): He has become the face of the impeachment inquiry. He is responsible for making sure the first hearing runs smoothly and effective for Democrats.

– Rep. Devin Nunes Devin Gerald NunesOvernight Defense: Stopgap spending measure awaits Senate vote | Trump nominates former Nunes aide for intelligence community watchdog | Trump extends ban on racial discrimination training to contractors, military Trump nominates former Nunes aide to serve as intel community inspector general Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election MORE (R-Calif.), the top Republican on the committee: Nunes is seated right next to Schiff and will be front and center.

– Rep. Jim Jordan James (Jim) Daniel JordanHouse panel pulls Powell into partisan battles over pandemic Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election House passes resolution condemning anti-Asian discrimination relating to coronavirus MORE (R-Ohio): "House GOP leaders parachuted Jordan, the top Republican on the House Oversight and Reform Committee, into the Intelligence Committee ranks last week to ensure that their lead investigator in the closed-door depositions could take part in the public impeachment hearings."

– Daniel Goldman: As the Intelligence Committee director of investigations, the former MSNBC legal analyst led Democrats' witness questioning during the closed-door depositions.

– Rep. Will Hurd William Ballard HurdHillicon Valley: Oracle confirms deal with TikTok to be 'trusted technology provider' | QAnon spreads across globe, shadowing COVID-19 | VA hit by data breach impacting 46,000 veterans House approves bill to secure internet-connected federal devices against cyber threats House Democrats' campaign arm reserves .6M in ads in competitive districts MORE (R-Texas): Hurd, a former CIA officer and who is retiring next year instead of running in a competitive reelection race, has broken with Republicans to argue for the protection of the whistleblower. But he also wants Hunter Biden to testify.

– Rep. John Ratcliffe John Lee RatcliffeHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Bipartisan representatives demand answers on expired surveillance programs Democrats call for declassifying election threats after briefing by Trump officials MORE (R-Texas): "The former U.S. attorney and federal terrorism prosecutor is considered one of the GOP's most effective cross-examiners."

Details for each from The Hill's Cristina Marcos: http://bit.ly/2XcT7Pi

MEANWHILE IN THE WHITE HOUSE

The other big news on the split screen:

Via The Hill's Morgan Chalfant and Laura Kelly, President Trump is meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House today "for a visit that has isolated the president from some of his strongest defenders on Capitol Hill and drawn criticism from his most loyal base of voters following Turkey's attack on U.S.-allied Kurds in northeastern Syria." http://bit.ly/2ryTibE

What they are expected to discuss: "The situation in Syria, Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems and Turkey's removal from the F-35 joint strike fighter program."

IN OTHER NEWS

Mick may want to hold off on ordering more business cards...:

Via The Washington Post's Carol D. Leonnig, Tom Hamburger, Josh Dawsey and John Hudson, "President Trump has been threatening for weeks to fire acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney Mick MulvaneyOn The Money: House panel pulls Powell into partisan battles | New York considers hiking taxes on the rich | Treasury: Trump's payroll tax deferral won't hurt Social Security Blockchain trade group names Mick Mulvaney to board Mick Mulvaney to start hedge fund MORE, but senior advisers have counseled him to hold off on such a drastic step amid a high-stakes impeachment probe, according to three people familiar with the discussions."

Why: Mulvaney's Oct. 17 press conference where he said Ukrainian aid was withheld for political reasons.

The full report: https://wapo.st/3744f5c

Another round of public impeachment hearings next week:

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) announced eight public hearings next week in the impeachment inquiry against President Trump. http://bit.ly/2qQoGSy

Testifying next Tuesday:

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman Alexander VindmanImpeachment witness Alexander Vindman calls Trump Putin's 'useful idiot' The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support Strzok: Trump behaving like an authoritarian MORE, a top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council (NSC)

Jennifer Williams, an aide to Vice President Pence

Kurt Volker Kurt VolkerGOP senators request details on Hunter Biden's travel for probe Yovanovitch retires from State Department: reports Live coverage: Senators enter second day of questions in impeachment trial MORE, former special envoy to Ukraine

Tim Morrison, a top NSC official

Testifying next Wednesday:

U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland

Laura Cooper, a Defense official

David Hale, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

On Thursday:

Fiona Hill, former NSC senior director for Europe and Russia

NOTABLE TWEETS

Now that's a mug shot if I've ever seen one:

Cat placed in solitary confinement for "repeatedly" breaking feline friends out of shelter https://t.co/CL9kVSDZOR pic.twitter.com/eKIBqDoKUW — CBS News (@CBSNews) November 13, 2019

This street in D.C. is showing off this morning:

Ginkgo magic this morning on Orleans Place NE. pic.twitter.com/6Fovp8OW3i — Christy K (@kwanimal) November 13, 2019

And here's an up-close photo of the leaves, with a cute toddler: http://bit.ly/3523h83

ON TAP

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

9:25 a.m. EST: Vice President Pence and Karen Pence Karen Sue PenceTrump met with chants of protest as he pays respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg How 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 MORE left for Orange County, Calif.

11 a.m. EST: Two roll call votes in the House. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2CBTzwW

Noon: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Ginsburg becomes the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol Rabbi memorializes Ginsburg: Her dissents were 'blueprints for the future' MORE greeted the president of Turkey and his wife.

12:30 p.m. EST: President Trump meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the Oval Office.

12:30 p.m. EST: The Senate breaks for weekly caucus luncheons.

2 p.m. EST: President Trump meets with select senators.

4:30 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence speaks at a Trump campaign luncheon in Huntington Beach, Calif.

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. EST: First and last votes in the House. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/32KkBNh

8:30 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence speaks at a Trump campaign dinner in Carmel Valley, Calif.

8 a.m. EST Thursday: The Hill is hosting an event, "America's Veterans: The Next Mission." Details and how to RSVP: http://bit.ly/36Ix47j

Dec. 20: Congress is expected to postpone its Nov. 21 government funding deadline until Dec. 20. http://bit.ly/2O7uMWS

WHAT TO WATCH

2 p.m. EST: Senate Republican leaders hold a news conference. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2Oc87IL

2:30 p.m. EST: Senate Democratic leaders hold a news conference. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2KfOC0L

3:10 p.m. EST: President Trump holds a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Livestream: http://bit.ly/33LwHXF

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...:

Today is National Indian Pudding Day.

The real breaking news of the morning – a 'Friends' reunion special may actually happening!!:

Via The Hollywood Reporter's Lesley Goldberg, the cast of 'Friends' is in talks to create a reunion special on HBO Max. Everything we know about it: http://bit.ly/2QdLYfR

And because you made it this far, here's a solution to dogs jumping over gates: http://bit.ly/370osZR