To view past editions of The Hill's 12:30 Report, click here: http://bit.ly/1M1mIfw

To receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox, please sign up here: http://bit.ly/1Tt4hqN

--> 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 Nareit — Trump lifting sanctions on Turkey | Defends decision on Syria in televised address | McConnell urges GOP to challenge Dems' impeachment process | Graham to offer resolution condemning impeachment inquiry | Defense official testifying today | Dems claim impeachment game changer | Zuckerberg back before Congress | Clinton 2020 whisper campaign | Jeff Bezos Jeffrey (Jeff) Preston BezosTwitter mandates lawmakers, journalists to beef up passwords heading into election Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Amazon planning small delivery hubs in suburbs MORE surprises DC high school | Update on Popeyes' chicken sandwich

BREAKING

Wave goodbye to sanctions on Turkey:

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 just announced he is lifting all sanctions imposed on Turkey after the country agreed to a permanent ceasefire in northern Syria. http://bit.ly/2ofLTgi

Watch Trump’s remarks: Here’s the livestream: http://bit.ly/35ZtN36

KEY LINES FROM TRUMP:

Trump’s announcement: “Early this morning, the government of Turkey informed my administration that they would be stopping combat and their offensive in Syria and making the ceasefire permanent. And it will, indeed, be permanent ... So the sanctions will be lifted unless something happens that we’re not happy with.”

A key line from Trump: “Let someone else fight over this long blood-stained sand.”

On Americans in the Middle East: “How many Americans must die in the Middle East in the midst of these ancient sectarian and tribal conflicts? After all of the precious blood and treasure America has poured into the deserts of the Middle East, I am committed to pursuing a different course. One that leads to victory for America.”

BACK STORY:

“Trump weeks ago announced the removal of U.S. troops from northern Syria, a decision that precipitated a Turkish military incursion against Kurdish forces in the region that had been U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS. The decision was heavily criticized by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, and led to a House resolution passed with bipartisan support that rebuked Trump. Lawmakers have also called for sanctions on Turkey for its offensive against the Kurds.” http://bit.ly/2ofLTgi

It's Wednesday. 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.

Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn

LATEST WITH THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

Democrats think they found their 'aha!' moment:

William Taylor, the head of the U.S. Embassy in Kiev, gave explosive testimony yesterday that Democrats called a game changer in the impeachment inquiry. http://bit.ly/2qDvvXM

What William Taylor told lawmakers: Taylor said "he was told nearly $400 million in military aid was contingent on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announcing investigations into 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, his son Hunter Biden, the Burisma energy company and 2016 election interference."

He also told investigators: "[T]he push to make President Zelensky publicly commit to investigations of Burisma and alleged interference in the 2016 election showed how the official foreign policy of the United States was undercut by the regular efforts led by Mr. Giuliani."

FIVE TAKEAWAYS FROM WILLIAM TAYLOR’S EXPLOSIVE TESTIMONY:

http://bit.ly/2oaVSmV

WHO IS TESTIFYING TODAY:

Laura Cooper, the deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia. Photo of her arriving: http://bit.ly/2oXg8Jl

Why Democrats want to hear from Laura Cooper: Cooper has worked in the federal government for almost two decades. "Some Democrats have said witnesses like Cooper are helpful for building a deeper understanding of how things work behind the scenes with the administration's Ukraine policy." http://bit.ly/2oXg8Jl

'Rebuking the rebuke' is the mantra for 2019:

Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamLincoln Project mocks Lindsey Graham's fundraising lag with Sarah McLachlan-themed video The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error MORE (R-S.C.) is introducing a resolution to rebuke the impeachment inquiry by House Democrats. http://bit.ly/2pKs413

Graham told Fox News's Sean Hannity Sean Patrick HannityFormer Florida attorney general calls Kyle Rittenhouse 'a little boy out there trying to protect his community' Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Cruz: Trump should nominate a Supreme Court justice next week MORE: "This resolution puts the Senate on record condemning the House. ... Here's the point of the resolution: Any impeachment vote based on this process, to me, is illegitimate, is unconstitutional, and should be dismissed in the Senate without a trial."

Graham's reasoning: "We cannot allow future presidents and this president to be impeached based on an inquiry in the House that's never been voted upon, that does not allow the president to confront the witnesses against him, to call witnesses on his behalf, and cross-examine people who are accusing him of misdeeds."

MEANWHILE FROM 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 -- DON'T FORGET WHO THE REAL ENEMY IS:

"Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is urging Republicans to focus on Democrats and their tactics in seeking to mount an effective defense of President Trump on impeachment." http://bit.ly/33QRKri

Do it, do it, do it

*pause to breathe*

Do it, do it, do it, do it:

Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley, "Current and former administration officials are urging the White House to hire a new chief strategist as President Trump's allies grow frustrated with the administration's response to the House impeachment inquiry." http://bit.ly/2N3OyCc

Who is the point person now: Acting White House 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.

When was the last time Trump had a chief strategist??: Trump has not had a chief strategist since Stephen Bannon was forced out more than two years ago.

Why Trump does not want an impeachment "war room": A source close to Trump says he believes it would make him look politically weak.

HAPPENING ON CAPITOL HILL

Well hello there, Zuck:

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Mark Elliot ZuckerbergHillicon Valley: Productivity, fatigue, cybersecurity emerge as top concerns amid pandemic | Facebook critics launch alternative oversight board | Google to temporarily bar election ads after polls close Conservative groups seek to block Facebook election grants in four swing states: report Facebook critics launch alternative oversight board MORE is on Capitol Hill today testifying on his company's plans to create a digital currency called Libra. But lawmakers will also use the opportunity to press him on a number of controversies involving Facebook.

Livestream of the hearing: http://bit.ly/2W4YGP9

Live blog of updates: http://bit.ly/2BDqUH8

HEARING HIGHLIGHTS:

On why he wants to start Libra: "I actually don't know if Libra is going to work. But I believe that it's important to try new things. ... That's what has made America successful and it's why our tech industry has led the world." Watch: http://bit.ly/35Y3NFk

Zuckerberg understands the optics: "I get that I'm not the ideal messenger for this right now," Zuckerberg told lawmakers. "I'm sure there are a lot of people who wish it were anyone but Facebook who were helping to propose this." Watch his full reasoning: http://bit.ly/2MElthE

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

The perfect shot of his empty seat: Here's a look at photographers getting shots of Zuckerberg's seat and name plate. Photo: http://bit.ly/2oXztKq

Video of Zuckerberg entering the room: http://bit.ly/2p73gjM

Advanced:

The House Homeland Security Committee voted to advance a bill to combat extremist content online. http://bit.ly/2N50svB

Keep in mind: This is one of the first legislative efforts to combat extremism online after recent mass shooters had ties to online white supremacism.

Opposition to the bill?: Yes, Republicans on the committee and civil liberties groups oppose the measure.

Details: http://bit.ly/2N50svB

IN LOCAL NEWS

Bezos showed up at a D.C. high school:

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos was the surprise guest at Dunbar High School on Monday to announce its Future Engineer Program.

This morning @amazon is at Dunbar High School in DC to announce a milestone in its Future Engineer Program. They had a surprise guest....Jeff Bezos. @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/dmOvmeJ4Fv — Caroline Tucker (@CTuckerNews) October 21, 2019

Watch: http://bit.ly/345rTML

OK, now watch the kid in the black hoodie sweatshirt: Hahahahha, his reaction. http://bit.ly/345rTML

That boy then spoke to Bezos. Watch: http://bit.ly/2Pf5U1w

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Lol, I love this lede sentence:

Via The Hill's Amie Parnes, "Republicans just can't quit Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida Hillicon Valley: Productivity, fatigue, cybersecurity emerge as top concerns amid pandemic | Facebook critics launch alternative oversight board | Google to temporarily bar election ads after polls close Trump pledges to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, designate KKK a terrorist group in pitch to Black voters MORE."

How so: "In recent weeks, as Clinton has made the rounds to promote a new book, the rumors have come fast and furious from the GOP: She's running for president again. ... The whisper campaign, potentially setting up a rematch between Trump and Clinton, has been going strong ever since."

SPONSORED CONTENT - NAREIT

Real Estate Investment Trusts are reshaping communities all across America, supporting economic activity and 2.3 million jobs. See why an estimated 87 million Americans invest in REITs. Learn more.

NOTABLE TWEETS

Hahahahaha:

DEVELOPING: Sen. Kennedy says Republicans were fed a “mystery meat” at their lunch today. Says it was tough, and he was distracted from some of the policy discussion because “I was too busy trying to cut my meat.” — Matt Laslo (@MattLaslo) October 22, 2019

http://bit.ly/2JfM8z0

Wait… good point. WHY?:

another sleepless night lying awake in bed trying to understand why the panera menu groups mac and cheese with the soups when they have a separate section for pasta pic.twitter.com/bJiBMJ36tS — Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) October 22, 2019

ON TAP

The House and Senate are in. President Trump is heading to Pittsburgh for the afternoon. Vice President Pence is in Michigan.

1 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence leaves Washington, D.C., for Waukegan, Ill.

1:20 p.m. EDT: President Trump leaves for Pittsburgh.

1:30 p.m. EDT: First votes in the House. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2W8g5pS

2:45 p.m. EDT: The Senate votes. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2o6YGRY

5:30 p.m. EDT: Last votes in the House.

6:30 p.m. EDT: President Trump gets back to the White House.

7:20 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence gets back to Washington, D.C.

WHAT TO WATCH

10 a.m. EDT: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies on Capitol Hill. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2N58jJl

11 a.m. EDT: President Trump delivered remarks on Syria. Livestream: http://bit.ly/35ZtN36

2 p.m. EDT: The House holds a hearing on President Trump's Syria policy. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2qFzjrD

3:40 p.m. EDT: President Trump speaks at the Ninth Annual Shale Insight Conference in Pittsburgh. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2Pd5ZTe

4 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence gives a speech on trade at the Uline Headquarters. Livestream: http://bit.ly/363PajZ

8:07 p.m. EDT: Game 2 of the World Series between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros. Game 2 preview from MLB.com: https://atmlb.com/2MGtG4X

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Boston Cream Pie Day.

Don't get too excited, but the Popeyes chicken sandwich may be back soon!:

Thrillist's Kat Thompson did some digging about when the viral Popeyes chicken sandwich will return and it sounds like it will be soon. Details -- and photo of the beloved sandwich: http://bit.ly/2ocAg9V

And because you made it this far, meet Elsa the baby koala: http://bit.ly/35Z68zE