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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 — Presented by MAPRx — Breaking: Federal watchdog recommends Conway be removed for violating Hatch Act | Trump takes heat for remarks on accepting info from foreign governments | Trump defends remarks | Why Manchin is eyeing a Senate exit | GOP worries about potential Amash 2020 bid | Biden shifts to debate prep | House panel subpoenas Flynn, Gates | Why 'Prince of Whales' is trending | Nats Park to get giant Christmas maze | National Cupcake Lover's Day

BREAKING

Kellyanne did whaaaat?!:

The Office of Special Counsel just urged President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE to remove Kellyanne Conway Kellyanne Elizabeth ConwaySpecial counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report George and Kellyanne Conway honor Ginsburg Trump carries on with rally, unaware of Ginsburg's death MORE as White House counselor because of repeated violations of the Hatch Act. http://bit.ly/2IdOCxJ

What is the Hatch Act: It bans federal employees from engaging in political campaigns in their official role.

From the Office of Special Counsel: "Given that Ms. Conway is a repeat offender and has shown disregard for the law, OSC recommends that she be removed from federal service.”

Read the letter to the president: http://bit.ly/2KjdUgm

Immediate reaction from the White House: The White House rejected the office’s recommendation to fire Kellyanne Conway, saying its findings are “deeply flawed and violate her constitutional rights to free speech and due process.”

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.

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IN THE WHITE HOUSE

If a foreigner wants to give me the tea, who am I to say no?:

In an interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos George Robert StephanopoulosColbert implores Pelosi to update 'weaponry' in SCOTUS fight: 'Trump has a literal heat ray' Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Cruz says Senate Republicans likely have votes to confirm Trump Supreme Court nominee MORE, President Trump said he would not commit to contacting the FBI if a foreign power offered damaging information on a political opponent. http://bit.ly/2MWgBXs

In Trump's words: "I think you might want to listen. There's nothing wrong with listening. It's not an interference. They have information. I think I'd take it. If I thought there was something wrong, I'd go maybe to the FBI."

Stephanopoulos then noted: That FBI Director Christopher Wray instructed campaigns to contact the bureau if they are contacted by any foreign power.

Trump responded: "The FBI director is wrong." http://bit.ly/2MWgBXs

REACTIONS -- LET'S JUST SAY THAT COMMENT DIDN'T GO OVER WELL...:

From Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Key Democrat opposes GOP Section 230 subpoena for Facebook, Twitter, Google MORE (R-S.C.), a frequent defender of Trump: "I think that's wrong. That's a mistake. I've been consistent on this. If a public official is approached by a foreign government offering anything of value ... the right answer is 'no.'" Graham also said that: "You accept assistance from a foreign government at your own peril." http://bit.ly/2IdiASM

From House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthyMcCarthy says there will be a peaceful transition if Biden wins GOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power McCarthy claims protests in Louisville, other cities are 'planned, orchestrated events' MORE (R-Calif.) — He was much nicer to Trump: "I've watched this president stand up against these foreign entities and he would not allow any foreign country to interfere in our elections." http://bit.ly/2ZlPMwV Watch his full comments: http://bit.ly/2WDk3FC

From Speaker Pelosi (D-Calif.): Pelosi slammed President Trump for his comments and said they "would invite foreign intervention" in future election. "What the president said last night shows clearly, once again, over and over again, that he does not know the difference between right and wrong and that's probably the nicest thing I can say about him," she said. http://bit.ly/2Ide6eP Watch her full comments: http://bit.ly/2IegL7Z

TRUMP DEFENDED HIS COMMENTS THIS MORNING:

The president tweeted: "I meet and talk to 'foreign governments' every day. I just met with the Queen of England (U.K.), the Prince of Whales [sic], the P.M. of the United Kingdom, the P.M. of Ireland, the President of France and the President of Poland. We talked about 'Everything!' Should I immediately call the FBI about these calls and meetings? How ridiculous! I would never be trusted again." http://bit.ly/2IbCZY5

^ I mean, maybe he did meet with the Prince of Whales?:

The president meant, Prince Charles, the prince of Wales, not "Whales."

Keep in mind: "Prince of Whales" trended on Twitter after the flub. Some of the tweets: http://bit.ly/2IDF26p

LATEST WITH THE MUELLER REPORT

*Cue Oprah Winfrey Oprah Gail WinfreyNYT security guard who went viral for interaction with Biden will have prominent role at convention: report Louisville Breonna Taylor billboard erected by Oprah Magazine vandalized with red paint 'White privilege' is the biggest white lie of all MORE* -- You get a subpoena! And you get a subpoena!:

The House Intelligence Committee has issued subpoenas for President Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former Trump campaign aide Richard Gates. http://bit.ly/2X4wSxe

The subpoenas: The committee is demanding "documents and other materials" from Flynn and Gates by June 26 and sworn testimony on July 10.

From House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffSchiff claims DHS is blocking whistleblower's access to records before testimony GOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power Rubio on peaceful transfer of power: 'We will have a legitimate & fair election' MORE (D-Calif.): "As part of our oversight work, the House Intelligence Committee is continuing to examine the deep counterintelligence concerns raised in Special Counsel Mueller's report, and that requires speaking directly with the fact witnesses," Schiff said in a statement.

Keep in mind: It's unclear whether testimony would be public or behind closed doors.

What we know so far: http://bit.ly/2X4wSxe

IN CONGRESS

Hey, everyone. You might have annoyed Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinSenate passes resolution reaffirming commitment to peaceful transition of power Hopes for DC, Puerto Rico statehood rise Manchin defends Supreme Court candidate Barrett: 'It's awful to bring in religion' MORE to the point where he may leave:

Via The Hill's Alexander Bolton, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) may leave the Senate before the end of this Congress or after the 2020 elections.

Why this matters: Though Manchin is a Democrat, he has been a centrist actor in the Senate. He is deeply irritated by the lack of bipartisanship on Capitol Hill and in moments of frustration, Manchin has reportedly been telling colleagues he may leave.

Why this could affect Democrats' chances of taking the Senate: If Democrats lose West Virginia in 2020 or 2022, their chances of taking the Senate are even lower.

What Manchin has been telling Senate colleagues: http://bit.ly/2F4jm2b

TIDBIT -- EVERYONE IS RUNNING ON FUMES TODAY:

"Virtually everyone in the House is running on 4ish hours of sleep. Yesterday was so brutal that Dem leadership did a little shuffling to push back the vote until 11:30 (which will probably last 3+ hours)" (Via Politico's Sarah Ferris) http://bit.ly/31siiik

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

How Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE is prepping for the first debate:

Via The Hill's Niall Stanage and Amie Parnes, former Vice President Joe Biden has shifted his focus to preparing for the first Democratic presidential primary debate at the end of the month. http://bit.ly/2XRPUDW

How he is getting ready: "Biden is reading briefing books daily in preparation for the televised showdown, and working with a team of Democratic veterans including longtime allies and Obama administration alumni."

Biden criticism: "Biden is coming off the rockiest period since his campaign began, having made a very public U-turn on his previous support for the Hyde Amendment, which bars the use of federal funds for abortion services. The former vice president has also faced some adverse comments for keeping a much lighter schedule than some of his rivals. The criticism has included insinuations that the campaign is worried about depleting the energy of the 76-year-old candidate."

What to expect in the next few weeks: An even lighter campaign schedule for Biden as he prepares for the debate.

Op-ed: http://bit.ly/31xqXQI

You know how people feel about spoilers:

Via The Hill's Scott Wong, Rep. Justin Amash Justin AmashInternal Democratic poll shows tight race in contest to replace Amash Centrist Democrats 'strongly considering' discharge petition on GOP PPP bill On The Trail: How Nancy Pelosi could improbably become president MORE (R-Mich.), who has been considering a third-party run for president in 2020, says he has no desire in playing "spoiler" for President Trump. http://bit.ly/31vAXdb

He told The Hill: "I have no interest in playing spoiler. When I run for something, I run to win."

On whether he will run: "I haven't ruled anything out."

Why Republicans are worried about Amash running in 2020: "If he does run, some of his GOP colleagues worry that the five-term Libertarian-leaning congressman from Grand Rapids could siphon tens of thousands of votes away from Trump in a general election, potentially moving Rust Belt states that Trump won in 2016 -- such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania -- into the Democratic column next year."

NOTABLE TWEETS

Getting traction in the D.C. area -- this plane flew over Washington yesterday:

Back story: President Trump had an F-35 fly over the White House during the visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda on Wednesday. Poland has ordered more than 30 of the fighter jets.

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ON TAP

The House and Senate are in.

President Trump is in Washington, D.C. Vice President Pence is in Montana today.

11:30 a.m. EDT: The Senate votes. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2IDTHyp

11:30 a.m. -- 2 p.m. EDT: First and last votes in the House. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2MP4Di0

12:30 p.m. EDT: President Trump meets with governors to discuss workforce freedom and mobility.

2:25 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence speaks at Yellowstone National Park.

9:10 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence gets back to Washington, D.C.

WHAT TO WATCH

4 p.m. EDT: President Trump gives a speech on second-chance hiring. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2IcZMTJ

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Cupcake Lover's Day.

I will be THE FIRST PERSON in line:

Nationals Park is transforming into a Christmas winter wonderland starting in November. Think: Ice skating, a Christmas market, holiday lights, caroling, themed drinks and a maze. http://bit.ly/2WC3Roc

This year's theme: "This year's theme is 'The Great Search,' where Santa's reindeer go missing just before Christmas and it takes the entire city (aka YOU) to help him track all nine down throughout the Christmas maze."

Video preview -- wow, I can't wait: http://bit.ly/2wQKWeO

And because it's only fair to share with you, here's a raccoon on a scooter: http://bit.ly/2Icw9Sg