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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: Breaking – Biden to launch 2020 run on Thursday | How Biden has GOP worried | Trump unloads on media after Mueller coverage | Trump taunts Joe Scarborough Charles (Joe) Joseph ScarboroughScarborough calls on Cuomo to walk back statement he made about Trump: 'Out of bounds' Mika Brzezinski: 'Super grossed out' by Trump speech attendees 'who put their lives at risk' Democrats tear into Trump's 'deep state' tweet: His 'lies and recklessness' have 'killed people' MORE as 'Morning Psycho' | Kushner calls Russia probes 'more harmful' than election interference | Dem leaders try to slow impeachment push | Town hall takeaways | WH blocking official from testifying despite subpoena | Justices hear case on census citizenship question | Trump set for June state visit to UK | Epic selfie with gorillas

LATEST WITH THE MUELLER REPORT

Bill Clinton William (Bill) Jefferson ClintonEpstein podcast host says he affiliated with elites from 'both sides of the aisle' Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at Supreme Court Business groups start gaming out a Biden administration MORE, would you like to chime in here?:

This morning, President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE unloaded on the news media, claiming that he faces an unprecedented level of criticism despite a good economy. http://bit.ly/2UShTWW

He tweeted: "In the 'old days' if you were President and you had a good economy, you were basically immune from criticism. Remember, 'It's the economy stupid.' Today I have, as President, perhaps the greatest economy in history...and to the Mainstream Media, it means NOTHING. But it will!" http://bit.ly/2XwABQw

TIMING OF THIS OUTBURST:

There's been constant coverage of 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's report, which did not charge him with collusion or obstruction of justice but did muddle Trump's claim of a "complete and total exoneration." Trump did not directly reference the Mueller report, but his grievances against the media are a common thread in the Mueller coverage.

JOE SCARBOROUGH GOT A SPECIAL SHOUTOUT:

"Morning Psycho (Joe), who helped get me elected in 2016 by having me on (free) all the time, has nosedived, too Angry, Dumb and Sick. A really bad show with low ratings -- and will only get worse," Trump tweeted. http://bit.ly/2IBfLft

This morning -- what's a little Russian interference between friends?:

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner Jared Corey KushnerAbraham Accords: New hope for peace in Middle East Tenants in Kushner building file lawsuit alleging dangerous living conditions Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing MORE argued that the investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election have been worse than the actual interference efforts themselves. http://bit.ly/2Zsx1J7

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"And you look at what Russia did, you know, buying some Facebook ads to try sow dissent and do it, and it's a terrible thing. But I think the investigations and all the speculation that's happened for the last two years has had a much harsher impact on our democracy than a couple of Facebook ads ... If you look at the magnitude of what they did and what they accomplished, I think the ensuing investigations have been way more harmful to our country."

Stop *clap* using *clap* the *clap* I-word!:

Via The Hill's Mike Lillis, Scott Wong and Cristina Marcos, Democratic leaders are trying to tamp down Democratic calls for President Trump's impeachment.

When I say "Democratic calls" for impeachment: I mean a small but vocal group of Democrats.

Pelosi's reasoning to rein in impeachment talks: "In a conference call with House Democrats on Monday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiHoyer: House should vote on COVID-19 aid — with or without a bipartisan deal Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at Supreme Court McCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment MORE (D-Calif.) and other party leaders sought to rein in the impeachment camp, warning that a rush toward ousting the president before pinpointing criminal wrongdoing -- and securing some Republican support -- could harm the party at the polls next year." http://bit.ly/2XCy47r

It's Tuesday. 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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HAPPENING TODAY

Trying to get a conCENSUS

(sorry, had to):

Via The New York Times's Adam Liptak, the Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments today on whether the Trump administration can add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. https://nyti.ms/2UAW498

Why there's a debate: "Critics say that adding the question would undermine the accuracy of the census because both legal and unauthorized immigrants might refuse to fill out the forms. By one government estimate, about 6.5 million people might decide not to participate."

Sorry, other plans:

"The White House has instructed a former official accused of mishandling security clearances not to appear at his planned congressional testimony on Tuesday, according to multiple reports." http://bit.ly/2PnpeYz



Who: "Carl Kline, who now works for the Defense Department, faces a subpoena and planned to testify before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on April 23 as part of its ongoing probe into the Trump administration's security clearance process."

Timing: "The move follows President Trump and his private business moving to block House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings Elijah Eugene CummingsBlack GOP candidate accuses Behar of wearing black face in heated interview Overnight Health Care: US won't join global coronavirus vaccine initiative | Federal panel lays out initial priorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution | NIH panel: 'Insufficient data' to show treatment touted by Trump works House Oversight Democrats to subpoena AbbVie in drug pricing probe MORE's (D-Md.) separate subpoena requesting financial records from the president's accountant. Trump filed a lawsuit in federal court on Tuesday."

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Breaking -- we're really, really, really serious this time:

Via NBC's Mike Memoli and Allan Smith, former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Democratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida Harris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle MORE is officially announcing his presidential run on Thursday morning. How: An online video.

Followed by: "Biden will then appear in Pittsburgh on Monday for an event at a local union hall, NBC News has learned. Biden will then embark on a tour of the four early voting states -- Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada -- in the following weeks." https://nbcnews.to/2GCrBnC

A marathon night of 2020 town halls:

Five Democratic presidential candidates participated in back-to-back CNN town halls last night, giving a glimpse of the upcoming primary field. http://bit.ly/2VioXeR

Which 2020 Dems: Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Dimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' Grand jury charges no officers in Breonna Taylor death MORE (I-Vt.), Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Nearly 40 Democratic senators call for climate change questions in debates Joe Biden has long forgotten North Carolina: Today's visit is too late MORE (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenDimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' CNN's Don Lemon: 'Blow up the entire system' remark taken out of context Democrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court MORE (D-Mass.) and Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharSocial media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE (D-Minn.), as well as South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Hillicon Valley: FBI, DHS warn that foreign hackers will likely spread disinformation around election results | Social media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day | Trump to meet with Republican state officials on tech liability shield MORE.

HERE ARE FIVE TAKEAWAYS:

Democrats are split on impeachment Will Warren get a bump after a strong performance? Bernie gave political ammunition to critics Candidates tried to tune out Trump Candidates are being forced to reckon with their past records

Context and details for each: http://bit.ly/2VioXeR

2020 Dems have made their opinions on Iran clear:

Via The Hill's Rebecca Kheel, "Most of the Democrats running for president are vowing to put the United States back in the Iran nuclear deal that President Trump withdrew from nearly a year ago." Where 2020 Dems stand on the issue: http://bit.ly/2ZsfBMJ

Republicans are pretty scared of Joe:

Via The Hill's Niall Stanage, "Republicans are banking on former Vice President Joe Biden losing the Democratic presidential primary because they worry he would be the strongest candidate against President Trump in a general election." http://bit.ly/2URaw21

Why Biden is a threat: "His advocates say his blue-collar roots, his cultural familiarity with voters in crucial Midwest states, his experience and his comparatively centrist positions would make him a formidable Trump foe."

How Republicans think this could play out in primaries: http://bit.ly/2URaw21

NOTABLE TWEETS

I endorse...:

Breaking: @CoryBooker has a very comfy looking oversized bean bag in his office pic.twitter.com/rRAZaYnT3x — Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) April 21, 2019

...the unconventional seating options.

Happening in downtown D.C. this morning:

Gas leak outside the WH right now, getting ready to kill electricity at 15th and NY, metro police tells bystanders. pic.twitter.com/kxF3hqmxdK — Jonathan Allen (@jonallendc) April 23, 2019

ON TAP

The House and Senate are out.

President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D.C.

11:45 a.m. EDT: President Trump took a photo with the White House News Photographers Association award recipients.

12:30 p.m. EDT: President Trump has lunch with Vice President Pence.

3:45 p.m. EDT: President Trump swears in David Bernhardt as Interior secretary. What to know about him: https://nyti.ms/2UuWuy1

Saturday: The White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

Also Saturday: Instead of attending the WHCA dinner, President Trump is holding a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wis. http://bit.ly/2GA1tts

Just announced -- June 3–5: President Trump visits the United Kingdom for his first state visit to the country. http://bit.ly/2ZrWjXP

WHAT TO WATCH

This morning: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (D) spoke at a "politics and eggs" breakfast at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2Pnh2rh

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Cherry Cheesecake Day.

Trending -- hahaha, now that is #SquadGoals:

Two gorillas perfectly posed for a selfie with park rangers. The photo -- omg: https://cnn.it/2UvEuna

And because you made it this far, here's a dog who takes head scratches VERY seriously: http://bit.ly/2W0liiZ