Welcome to The Hill's Morning Report, which is replacing The Hill's morning Tipsheet each weekday. This comprehensive morning email, reported by Jonathan Easley and Alexis Simendinger, briefs you on the most important developments in politics and what to look for in the days and weeks ahead…

Thirty-three-year-old Desiree Linden became the first American woman in more than three decades to win the Boston Marathon, completing the water-logged course in under two hours and 40 minutes. https://bit.ly/2H5p7jz

Reminder: It’s tax filing day, usually a nightmare for most Americans but an opportunity this year for Republicans.

The tax cuts bill will be the cornerstone of the GOP’s election efforts for the 2018 midterms. Republicans are praying that the tax overhaul, in conjunction with the strong economy, will be enough to break what looks like a blue surge coming for them in November.

But 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 signature legislative achievement might not be enough to save Republicans in the fall.

Republican pollster David Winston tells us: “The economy tends to be the driving issue, so if there’s a sense this tax bill has delivered and the economy is generally improving, it could cut into Democratic opportunities. But it’s still a huge challenge for Republicans and it’s not a sure thing by any means.”

Recent polls find that while voters have warmed to the tax law, unpopular when it was enacted last year, a majority of Americans remain unconvinced they’ll benefit directly.

And the GOP push will be met with counter-programming from Democrats, who argue that corporations are hoarding their tax gains and reinvesting in stock buybacks instead of hiring or giving raises.

Read The Hill’s Naomi Jagoda on five things to watch for as tax filing season draws to a close...https://bit.ly/2JU3NLg

LEADING THE DAY

It was an utterly bizarre day of theatrics around Michael Cohen’s first court appearance since the FBI raided his office, hotel room and residence. The circus-like atmosphere is damaging for all the players, but most importantly for the president; a prolonged legal and investigatory chapter in New York involves his personal life, his business dealings and potentially his 2016 campaign.

AP: What’s in those seized records? Trump’s biggest new worry.

The government is arguing that Cohen is not doing any real legal work and so the evidence the FBI seized from Trump’s personal lawyer is not protected under attorney-client privilege, as Cohen’s lawyers argue.

Reuters: What is attorney-client privilege in the Cohen context?

Cohen claims to be doing real legal work and says he has real clients. Judge Kimba Wood ruled that he must reveal them. The first two clients were known: Trump and former Republican National Committee finance team member Elliott Broidy, who resigned that post after admitting to having paid a Playboy “playmate,” who said she was pregnant with his child.

The big reveal of the mystery third client: Fox News anchor Sean Hannity.

“Go home 2018, you’re drunk,” CNN anchor Jake Tapper deadpanned in the wake of the news.

Fox News anchor Shep Smith, who has clashed with Hannity in the past, beat back a smile as he explained to viewers that he had reached out to Hannity’s producers for comment.

Attorney Alan Dershowitz, a regular on Hannity’s program in recent weeks, went on CNN to say that Hannity should have revealed to viewers that he was a client of Cohen’s when he was covering the FBI raid. Then Dershowitz went on Hannity to confront him about it in person. You can watch that exchange here. CNN is loving it.

Hannity is downplaying the development, saying Cohen gave him advice but was never on retainer or acting in any official capacity on his behalf.

Reporters are digging to find out what Cohen might have done for Hannity, and whether any of it mirrors the confidential scandal-extinguishing exercises he conducted for his other clients, Trump and Broidy.

Meanwhile, Stormy Daniels and her lawyer, Michael Avenatti, were on the scene and holding court outside, injecting their accusations against Trump and Cohen into a crush of news outlets.

Oh yeah. The judge ruled in Cohen’s favor on one front, a surprise but minor victory for Cohen and Trump, as their lawyers will now be allowed to review some of the documents and data seized by the FBI. But it wasn’t a full victory; attorneys for Trump and Cohen had tried to block prosecutors from reviewing the seized material at all. The Hill’s Katie Bo Williams reports...https://bit.ly/2H33H2k

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke Ryan Keith ZinkeTrump extends Florida offshore drilling pause, expands it to Georgia, South Carolina Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention Trump flails as audience dwindles and ratings plummet MORE, under investigation by his department’s inspector general, is reprimanded for relying on a $12,000 charter flight between a meeting with a professional hockey team in Las Vegas and another meeting in Montana, The Hill’s Miranda Green reports.

“Not all of my choices were good,” Trump said Monday about his Cabinet.





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IN FOCUS/SHARP TAKES





➔ The Opioid crisis takes a personal toll on Washington, reports The Hill’s Rachel Roubein in the first of a five-part series this week presented by the Partnership for Safe Medicine. Monday: The scope of the emergency: https://bit.ly/2J0AK7F. Today’s report, “Close to Home,” describes Michigan Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell Deborah (Debbie) Ann DingellRaces heat up for House leadership posts Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell easily wins House primary Court orders release of Black Michigan teen who was jailed for missing schoolwork MORE’s personal experience with opioid overdose and how it shaped her legislative perspective. https://bit.ly/2H6TeHh

➔ Comey fallout: Former FBI Director James Comey James Brien ComeyDemocrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate Book: FBI sex crimes investigator helped trigger October 2016 public probe of Clinton emails Trump jabs at FBI director over testimony on Russia, antifa MORE’s book finally hits the shelves today. The results are in from his highly anticipated first interview since being fired by Trump, and supporters of the president and Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Poll: 51 percent of voters want to abolish the electoral college MORE agree: Comey is no hero.

The Hill’s Amie Parnes reports on the withering reviews from supporters of both 2016 presidential combatants. Clinton allies are seething with rage. (The Hill) A sample: “Admit it, James Comey, you’ve been lying all along,” by Lanny Davis, former adviser to Bill Clinton William (Bill) Jefferson ClintonChelsea Clinton: Trump isn't building public confidence in a vaccine Hillary Clinton launching podcast this month GOP brushes back charges of hypocrisy in Supreme Court fight MORE. (The Hill)

The New York Times: Comey’s attacks on Trump may tarnish carefully cultivated image.

More: transcript this morning from Comey’s NPR interview.

Next on Comey’s book tour — a stop on Wednesday with the women of ABC’s “The View.” Watch co-host Meghan McCain for potential fireworks.

But the ratings for Sunday night’s event were not great. ABC News pulled in 9.8 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. CBS’s Country Music Awards attracted 12.1 million viewers on the same night. The “60 Minutes” Stormy Daniels event from three weeks ago is the gold standard, having captured 22 million viewers.

From The Hill’s Joe Concha: Ratings show Comey buzz was all hype… https://bit.ly/2viJRP0

Still, the battle between the White House and the former FBI director remains incendiary. The Hill’s Jordan Fabian reports. https://bit.ly/2HrdbYB

➔ Campaigns Roundup: Can Democrats win Ryan’s seat? Well-funded Democrat Randy Bryce, aka “IronStache,” leads an uncharacteristically strong field of challengers looking to make a statement by winning outgoing Speaker Paul Ryan’s district. The Hill’s Ben Kamisar and Lisa Hagen report. (The Hill)

➔ The Senate Budget committee chairman warns that ballooning deficits render future committee blueprints irrelevant (perhaps the committee, too). Chairman Mike Enzi Michael (Mike) Bradley EnziChamber of Commerce endorses McSally for reelection Cynthia Lummis wins GOP Senate primary in Wyoming The Hill's Convention Report: Democrats gear up for Day Two of convention MORE warns colleagues it may be impossible for the GOP to pass budgets because projected deficits are so large, bolstering some enthusiasm within the Senate GOP to abolish the Budget Committee altogether, an idea under review by a special panel set up to reform the spending process. The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports. (The Hill)

➔ House GOP Leadership: The bid to replace Speaker Ryan is House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthyMcCarthy's Democratic challenger to launch first TV ad highlighting Air Force service as single mother Trump asked Chamber of Commerce to reconsider Democratic endorsements: report The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill MORE's race to lose. The Hill’s Melanie Zanona reports (The Hill)

OPINION





Man in the high castle, by former Rep. Steve Israel Steven (Steve) J. IsraelThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Trump, Biden intensify battleground focus as 2020 race tightens Biden allies express confidence as convention begins The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden closes in on vice presidential pick MORE, opinion contributor to The Hill. https://bit.ly/2qEpsi5

On war matters, where is Congress? Shirking its duty, by Jay Cost, National Review. https://bit.ly/2H5Atj8

WHERE AND WHEN





The Hill’s event: “Excelencia in Education: Latinos in College, Closing the Graduation Gap,” 8-10 a.m., at the Gallup Organization in Washington. Panelists include Sen. Michael Bennet Michael Farrand BennetOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Next crisis, keep people working and give them raises MORE (D-Colo.), 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) and 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).

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee hears this morning from top officials from the State Department and the Pentagon about U.S. policy in Yemen.

The House begins legislative business at noon and takes up a slew of tax-related legislation.

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpMelania Trump: Ginsburg's 'spirit will live on in all she has inspired' The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - You might want to download TikTok now Warning label added to Trump tweet over potential mail-in voting disinformation MORE host Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife today and Wednesday at Mar-a-Lago. The day includes two bilateral meetings, including discussion of the president’s planned summit with North Korea, and ends with a dinner.

Trump’s delegation: acting Secretary of State John Sullivan; White House chief of staff John Kelly John Francis KellyMORE; U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer Robert (Bob) Emmet LighthizerWhiskey, workers and friends caught in the trade dispute crossfire GOP senator warns quick vote on new NAFTA would be 'huge mistake' Pelosi casts doubt on USMCA deal in 2019 MORE; National Security Council Director John Bolton; National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow; U.S. Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty; White House senior director for Asian affairs Matthew Pottinger; and White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Vice President Pence will be at Mar-a-Lago with the president.

ELSEWHERE





> A documentary about Sen. John McCain is in production at HBO, The Hill’s Judy Kurtz reports. McCain, a decorated Navy veteran, former prisoner of war in Vietnam and GOP presidential nominee, is in stable condition after surgery Monday for an intestinal infection. He continues to be treated for brain cancer at home in Arizona.

> The Supreme Court today returns to consider the collection of sales taxes on online purchases during oral arguments.

> An Arab force and funding in northeastern Syria to replace U.S. forces following the defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria is a proposal recently pitched by the White House to Egypt, The Wall Street Journal reports.

> The U.S. and Britain on Monday issued a first-of-its-kind joint warning about Russian cyberattacks against government and private organizations, as well as individual homes and offices. The purpose: raise a joint alarm to encourage the public to assess vulnerabilities and take security steps.

THE CLOSER



There’s an old-fashioned newspaper war underway in Washington and New York City, and judges who announced Monday’s Pulitzer Prize winners said readers and multiplatform news consumers around the world are the better for it: Great reporting spawns other outstanding and impactful coverage. We couldn’t agree more…

The New York Times and The New Yorker jointly won the Pulitzer for public service, for coverage of sexual abuse of women in Hollywood and other industries worldwide.