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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: Washington awaits Mueller report | Trump calls for 'witch hunt' to end | House Dems plan Tuesday vote against Trump emergency | One Republican backs bill | Senate looks to avoid fall shutdown drama | Latest on Smollett: Character cut from season's last episodes | Patriots owner charged in prostitution ring | Nats say they have 'moved on' from Harper | Oscars preview | National Margarita Day deals

TALK OF THE MORNING

It's almost witch hunt time:

Special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE is reportedly preparing his final report on the Russia investigation, which could be given to the Justice Department as early as next week. http://bit.ly/2XlwoQm

Who will receive the final report: President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE's newly confirmed attorney general, William Barr.

Why the report will give the White House headaches: Lawmakers will push to make the report public. Democrats are likely to look further into any stray leads.

What to expect: http://bit.ly/2XlwoQm

HELPFUL LIST -- IF YOU WANT TO FEEL TOTALLY CAUGHT UP ON THE MUELLER INVESTIGATION: Here are the answers to nine questions you may have about the special counsel investigation: http://bit.ly/2SUzRH5

This morning from Trump -- take a sip whenever you see a Trump tweet with 'witch hunt' this weekend:

President Trump slammed the special counsel investigation, calling it a "witch hunt." http://bit.ly/2U3RuAK

He tweeted: "Highly respected Senator Richard Burr, head of Senate Intelligence, said, after interviewing over 200 witnesses and studying over 2 million pages of documents, 'WE HAVE FOUND NO COLLUSION BETWEEN THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN AND RUSSIA.' The Witch Hunt, so bad for our Country, must end!" http://bit.ly/2NmViKX

It's Friday! And more importantly, it's National Margarita Day! 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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NEWS THIS MORNING

Breaking — Robert Kraft has been charged in a prostitution ring:

Via WPTV West Palm Beach, as part of a human trafficking investigation, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been charged with soliciting a prostitute. Full report: http://bit.ly/2IuQR1Z

How many people have been charged: Kraft is one of 25 people who are reportedly facing charges.

Keep in mind: There is video evidence of two instances that involved Kraft, according to Jupiter, Fla. police.

The full list of who has been charged: http://bit.ly/2Ep1Oy4

What we know: http://bit.ly/2IuQR1Z

Jussie Smollett's character cut from season's last episodes:

The executive producers of "Empire" announced they are cutting Jussie Smollett's character from the last two episodes of the season. http://bit.ly/2Ep5uj6

The producers said in a statement: "The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. Jussie has been an important member of our 'Empire' family for the past five years and we care about him deeply. ... While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out. We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of 'Jamal' from the final two episodes of the season." http://bit.ly/2Ep5uj6

BACK STORY: "Empire" star Jussie Smollett was arrested for allegedly faking a hate crime against himself. Details: http://bit.ly/2GFH33g

Just so he knows they are NOT on his side:

House Democrats introduced a resolution to block President Trump's use of a national emergency to fund a border wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. http://bit.ly/2Iu2gio

Sponsors: Rep. Joaquin Castro Joaquin CastroHispanic Caucus members embark on 'virtual bus tour' with Biden campaign Hispanic caucus report takes stock of accomplishments with eye toward 2021 Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-Texas) introduced the bill with at least 225 co-sponsors. Including at least one Republican: Rep. Justin Amash Justin AmashCentrist Democrats 'strongly considering' discharge petition on GOP PPP bill On The Trail: How Nancy Pelosi could improbably become president History is on Edward Snowden's side: Now it's time to give him a full pardon MORE (Mich.).

Why some Republicans are not on board with Trump's declaration: "Several GOP senators have expressed opposition to Trump's emergency declaration, warning it could set a precedent for a future president to declare an emergency to circumvent Congress on another issue, such as climate change or gun control."

But even if Dems can pull a few Republicans on board: "Trump would likely then veto the resolution, and it is not expected that the House and Senate would have the two-thirds majorities needed to override a veto."

WHEN THE HOUSE WILL VOTE: Tuesday. https://politi.co/2Xj2KeB

WHERE HOUSE REPUBLICANS STAND: Via The Hill's Mike Lillis and Scott Wong, "Few House Republicans appear ready to defy President Trump by backing a resolution that would stop his emergency declaration to build a wall on the Mexican border." http://bit.ly/2tB76jU

IN OTHER NEWS

Coast Guard officer accused of plotting hit list denied bail:

Via CBS News, "A Coast Guard officer suspected of drawing up a hit list of top Democrats and TV journalists spent hours on his work computer researching the words and deeds of infamous bombers and mass shooters while also stockpiling weapons, federal prosecutors said Thursday." https://cbsn.ws/2NmSiOH

Who: 49-year-old Lt. Christopher Paul Hasson, a self-described white nationalist, according to his writings that were obtained by the government.

Where: Hasson worked at the Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C., and lived in Silver Spring, Md.

He will remain in jail: Hasson was denied bail yesterday.

Photo of the arsenal found in his home: https://cbsn.ws/2NmSiOH

Who was on his hit list: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare House lawmakers reach deal to avert shutdown Centrist Democrats 'strongly considering' discharge petition on GOP PPP bill MORE (D-Calif.), Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerSenate Democrats introduce legislation to probe politicization of pandemic response Schumer interrupted during live briefing by heckler: 'Stop lying to the people' Jacobin editor: Primarying Schumer would force him to fight Trump's SCOTUS nominee MORE (D-N.Y.), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (D-N.Y.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHarris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda Judd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report MORE (D-Mass.), Sen. Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.), Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice First presidential debate to cover coronavirus, Supreme Court Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (D-Calif.), MSNBC's Chris Hayes, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, CNN's Chris Cuomo and CNN's Van Jones.

The full back story: https://cbsn.ws/2Si5ANu

But what even is the fall without shutdown threats?!:

Via The Hill's Jordain Carney, senators are plotting to get the government funding process back to a normal schedule to avoid another shutdown brawl in the fall. How they plan to do that: http://bit.ly/2SUmE0U

NOTABLE TWEETS

The most entertaining thread I've read all morning:

What is your most on brand story from your childhood? — Kathryn Brightbill (@KEBrightbill) February 20, 2019

Read the responses below: http://bit.ly/2Veb9OK

SOME OF MY FAVORITES:

@Chelsea_5512: "Apparently I didn't take my first steps in front of any adults. I crawled to another room, practiced until I got the hang of it, and THEN walked out." http://bit.ly/2IIOVTR

@SketchesbyBoze: "In middle school I used to have private awards ceremonies for the books I had read that year, like an Oscars for books, and would make up speeches for all the characters to say ... I remember Hemingway, accepting his award for The Old Man and the Sea, plugging the *next* book he had written. (I was such a dork omg)." http://bit.ly/2BKZOOU

@AshleyMason739: "I didn't speak until I was over two years old, causing my mother to worry for a long time that I might be deaf. When I finally did speak it was when my parents had friends over for dinner; my first words, addressed to the person next to me, were 'would you like some more cake?'" http://bit.ly/2U3CNO7

ON TAP

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

Today -- Monday: The National Governors Association winter meeting begins in Washington, D.C. Details: http://bit.ly/2NeVP1A

Noon: 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 host National Governors Association members for lunch.

2:30 p.m. EST: President Trump meets with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He to discuss trade. Details: https://cnb.cx/2E2KrSh

7:35 p.m. EST: President Trump speaks at the Republican Governors Association event at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

Tuesday: Sen. Ben Cardin Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinCongress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out PPP application window closes after coronavirus talks deadlock Congress eyes tighter restrictions on next round of small business help MORE (D-Md.), Rep. Doug Collins Douglas (Doug) Allen CollinsTrump, Biden tied in Georgia: poll Loeffler paints herself as 'more conservative than Attila the Hun' in new campaign ad Vulnerable GOP incumbents embrace filling Supreme Court seat this year MORE (R-Ga.), Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Del. Stacey Plaskett Stacey PlaskettDOJ rejects statehood for Puerto Rico — so do Puerto Ricans Bottom line Biden rolls out over a dozen congressional endorsements after latest primary wins MORE (D-Virgin Islands) speak at an event for The Hill, "Leadership in Action: Criminal Justice Reform." Details and how to RSVP: http://bit.ly/2Ip4yzj

Next week: President Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, Vietnam. Preview from Foreign Policy: http://bit.ly/2XjcBRR

Newly announced -- July 2021: Release date for "Space Jam 2" with Lebron James. http://bit.ly/2GYcLIs

WHAT TO WATCH

7:30 p.m. EST: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) speaks at a New Hampshire Democratic Party dinner in Manchester, N.H. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2GWnjbe

8 p.m. EST Sunday: The Oscars. Quick catch-up: https://et.tv/2tvYLhl

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Margarita Day!

Nationally: Here's where to get the best margarita deals today: http://bit.ly/2tB6PNy

In D.C.: Here are the best marg deals in the D.C. area today: http://bit.ly/2tA9cjL

Time to get a new Nats jersey?:

Washington Nationals owner Mark Lerner said he has not heard from Bryce Harper and Scott Boras in months. http://bit.ly/2V7qkcq

Lerner told NBC Sports this morning: "Nothing's certainly changed on our end. We've moved on. As I said back then and we had to. There was no way we could wait around. Bryce, I'm sure will make his decision hopefully in the next few days, but we've filled out our roster and like I said, we wish him nothing but the best." http://bit.ly/2V7qkcq