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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 appealed to his base on Thursday during a speech about legal immigration, inviting tepid reactions from fellow conservatives and a withering “dead on arrival” rejoinder from 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.).

“We are presenting a clear contrast,” the president said, speaking to guests seated in the Rose Garden. “Democrats are proposing open borders, lower wages and, frankly, lawless chaos. We are proposing an immigration plan that puts the jobs, wages and safety of American workers first.”

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Trump’s outline would replace family-sponsored migration with “merit-based” visa allotments under immigration laws, an idea instantly panned by conservative commentator Ann Coulter Ann Hart CoulterFauci responds to 'mischievous' critics of photo at Nats game Conservatives mock Fauci on first pitch Lawsuit accuses ex-Fox host Ed Henry of rape MORE as meaningless to reduce illegal immigration. She called the president’s ideas “a gift to the Koch brothers,” the billionaire conservatives who are critical of Trump, especially on immigration.

The president did not try to mask his intention to lay down political markers for the 2020 election rather than legislative proposals that could surmount partisan impasses that are decades in the making.

“If for some reason, possibly political, we can’t get the Democrats to approve this merit-based, high-security plan, then we will get it approved immediately after the election when we take back the House, keep the Senate and, of course, hold the presidency,” Trump said (The Hill).

The Washington Post: White House says the president did not include protections for young “dreamers” because remedying their undocumented status is too “divisive.”

As Niall Stanage writes, the politics of immigration that Trump helped engineer are harsh and unforgiving for anyone searching for a bipartisan legislative approach after the 2020 election. The president’s latest proposal is finding few friends.

GOP lawmakers acknowledged the White House plan, spearheaded by 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, is not intended to become law. Other ideas, including an asylum reform proposal introduced this week by Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSenate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report The Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot MORE (R-S.C.), are unlikely to gain traction this year (The Hill).

McClatchy: Trump immigration plan revamps asylum, requires work skills and learning English.

Reuters: Trump proposed maintaining the overall numbers of legal immigrants each year steady while shifting to a “merit-based” system of selection, which he said would result in 57 percent of green cards being granted based on employment and skills.





LEADING THE DAY





POLITICS & CAMPAIGNS: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Bill de BlasioOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities New Year's Eve in Times Square to be largely virtual amid pandemic MORE’s 2020 presidential bid is officially underway, and the early reviews are not great.

After his 2020 campaign’s reveal was scooped by a high school journalist in Missouri, de Blasio kicked off his campaign with an appearance on “Good Morning America” Thursday morning and was immediately met by protesters outside the studio. The reception was not a surprise as most New Yorkers wished he would have remained on the sidelines. According to a Quinnipiac University Poll released last month, 76 percent of New Yorkers said that he should not launch a 2020 bid (Politico).

Later on, he was on the receiving end of multiple shots from Trump, who went so far as to record a video from Air Force One calling de Blasio “the worst mayor in the history of New York City” while en route to New York for fundraising and predict that he “would be very surprised to see him in there for a long period.”

As Jonathan Easley reports, de Blasio’s entrance also brings the field to two dozen candidates, a historically large field that presents unique challenges for the candidates, the national party and the media.

Despite the tough start, de Blasio faces an uphill climb not only to make a dent in the 2020 Democratic primary, but even to make the debate stage. A late entry, and perhaps the last one in the race, de Blasio is by no means guaranteed a spot on-stage at either of the June 26 or 27 debates and has less than a month to reach polling and fundraising thresholds to reach the debate stage, an issue that could also plague the likes of Montana Gov. Steve Bullock Steve BullockMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Pence seeks to boost Daines in critical Montana Senate race MORE and 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.) given their late 2020 bids.

More than likely, de Blasio’s entrance makes just one more candidate in a massive field of contenders vying for money, media attention, endorsements and support from primary voters. The Democratic field includes a former vice president, seven sitting senators, four members of the House, three former members of Congress, two current governors, a former governor, three mayors, a former mayor, and two business people. Six women and six people of color are in the running. There are contenders from Alaska and Hawaii. But the candidates will have to get creative in looking for ways to stand out in the pack, with the Democratic National Committee facing some difficult decisions with the debates and generally acting as a referee in the looming free-for-all.

Democrats interviewed by The Hill described a volatile, high stakes and unprecedented undertaking and said they had no idea how it would shake out.

Fox News: 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 up by double digits in Democratic race.

> Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s (R) decision to sign into law legislation that essentially outlaws abortion has raised the topic into a top-tier issue on the 2020 map and brought the issue to the forefront of the public’s consciousness after conservatives launched a coordinated messaging effort (The New York Times).

The move has also put moderate Senate Republicans on the defensive after their votes over the past two years to confirm a horde of conservative judges who could be in a position to decide whether restrictive abortion laws will stand up in court.

When pressed by CNN on Thursday, Sen. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsClub for Growth to spend million in ads for Trump Supreme Court nominee Maryland's GOP governor says Republicans shouldn't rush SCOTUS vote before election The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November MORE (R-Maine), a pro-choice Republican who is up for reelection next year, labeled the new law in Alabama a “terrible law” and “very extreme.” When pressed over whether she thought Justice Brett Kavanaugh Brett Michael KavanaughHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Poll: 59 percent think president elected in November should name next Supreme Court justice Feinstein 'surprised and taken aback' by suggestion she's not up for Supreme Court fight MORE would strike down the law, she hinted that she believes he would.

"The Alabama law is a terrible law – it’s very extreme – it essentially bans all abortions.” Collins said. “I can’t imagine that any justice could find that to be consistent with the previous precedence."

With the issue taking hold in Congress, it has been a hot topic on the 2020 scene as Democrats continue to denounce the law. 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.) said the laws emanating from various states go “against Christian faith” (CBS News). 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 also panned the law during a speech to the City Club of Chicago.

"I don't think that you are free in this country if your reproductive health can be criminalized,” Buttigieg said, adding later that legislation to codify the constitutional right to have an abortion is “something that deserves to be taken seriously.”

The New York Times: In Alabama, opposition to abortion runs deep regardless of gender.

The Associated Press: Missouri’s Republican-led House today is expected to pass a sweeping bill to ban abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy, propeling the measure closer to state law.





IN FOCUS/SHARP TAKES





WHITE HOUSE & ADMINISTRATION: Administration officials agreed on Thursday to brief the Senate next week about Iran and intelligence that prompted the president and his advisers to warn that attacks on U.S. interests by Tehran were a real and present danger (The Hill).

In Middle East and European capitals, officials share confusion expressed by members of Congress about how seriously to take Trump’s warnings to Tehran and references to classified intelligence information. European leaders want restraint (The Atlantic).

Members of Congress from both parties point to White House national security adviser John Bolton John BoltonMaximum pressure is keeping US troops in Iraq and Syria Woodward book trails Bolton, Mary Trump in first-week sales Ex-NSC official alleges 'unprecedented' intervention by White House aides in Bolton book review MORE as the driver of Trump’s Iran policy. Some lawmakers are seeking additional information in order to weigh whether intelligence supports deployment of U.S. military assets to the Middle East.

Trump has talked tough publicly about his willingness to send “more” than 120,000 troops to defend U.S. interests if Iran poses a national security threat.

But the president also told acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan Patrick Michael ShanahanHouse Armed Services chairman expresses confidence in Esper amid aircraft carrier coronavirus crisis Boeing pleads for bailout under weight of coronavirus, 737 fallout Esper's chief of staff to depart at end of January MORE that he does not want war with Iran. In a tweet on Wednesday, Trump said he was confident Iran “will want to talk soon,” signaling an openness to diplomacy that officials said is not shared by Bolton or staunch Iran critic Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoTreasury sanctions individuals, groups tied to Russian malign influence activities Navalny released from hospital after suspected poisoning Overnight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers MORE (The New York Times).

Reuters: Inside the weakening governing power of Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani.

Reuters: Pelosi said on Thursday that Trump does not have congressional authorization to go to war with Iran.

> Trump business: Revenue at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort dropped 10 percent last year, and the most recent federal financial disclosures by the president on Thursday offers a mixed overall picture of the president’s finances (The Washington Post). The documents also show Trump took out a 30-year mortgage on an oceanfront house steps from Mar-a-Lago, which currently sits empty on the rental market (Reuters). The president’s mortgage loan was for the purchase of a house owned by his sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, a former federal judge, and sold to a company headed by the president’s two oldest sons (Palm Beach Daily News).

> Trump’s tax returns: The Treasury Department and IRS are set to miss a deadline today to comply with subpoenas for Trump's tax returns, as the dispute over the documents appears headed for a legal battle (The Hill).

> Russia-related sanctions: The Treasury Department, in a move likely to escalate tensions between the United States and Russia, on Thursday announced sanctions on Russian and Chechen officials linked to the deaths of two whistleblowers critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinNavalny released from hospital after suspected poisoning Ex-Trump national security adviser says US leaders 'making it easy for Putin' to meddle The Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting MORE’s government. Five people and one entity were sanctioned by the administration for “gross violations of human rights in Russia, pursuant to the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012” (The Wall Street Journal).

> Trump’s advisers: The president’s Twitter guru and former caddie, Dan Scavino, is the ultimate insider (Politico).

> The wall: The president’s exacting instructions about new and renovated sections of barriers along the U.S. southern border, which he said on Thursday will span at least 400 miles by the end of 2020, vex the engineers (The Washington Post).





The Morning Report is created by journalists Alexis Simendinger and Al Weaver. We want to hear from you! Email: asimendinger@thehill.com and aweaver@thehill.com. We invite you to share The Hill’s reporting and newsletters, and encourage others to SUBSCRIBE!

OPINION





Vladimir Putin is messing with our democracy and he wants us to know it, by Daniel N. Hoffman, former Central Intelligence Agency chief of station, opinion contributor, The Hill. https://bit.ly/2Eb0o9O

The intensifying trade war could quadruple economic damage, by Eric Lascelles, chief economist for RBC Global Asset Management Inc., opinion contributor, The Hill. https://bit.ly/2JKUsry





WHERE AND WHEN





Hill.TV’s “Rising” program, starting at 8 a.m., features Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman Bobby Scott Robert (Bobby) Cortez ScottCongress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out House passes bill to allow private lawsuits against public schools for discriminatory practices Pelosi: House will stay in session until agreement is reached on coronavirus relief MORE (D-Va.), reflecting on the 65th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision; Reps. Rob Woodall William (Rob) Robert WoodallHouse Democrats' campaign arm reserves .6M in ads in competitive districts Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Democrats go big on diversity with new House recruits MORE (R-Ga.) and Harley Rouda Harley Edwin RoudaUS Chamber of Commerce set to endorse 23 House freshman Democrats OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Watchdog to weigh probe of Trump advancements on Pebble Mine | Interior finalizes public lands HQ move out West over congressional objections | EPA to issue methane rollback: report Watchdog to weigh probe of Trump administration advancements of Pebble Mine MORE (D-Calif.), discussing infrastructure; and U.S Border Patrol Chief Brian Hastings on the latest news at the southern border. http://thehill.com/hilltv

The House convenes at 9 a.m. and will vote on the Equality Act.

The Senate will meet at 3 p.m. on Monday to resume consideration of the nomination of David P. Collins to be a United States circuit judge for the 9th Circuit.

The president returns from New York City and speaks in Washington at a conference of the National Association of Realtors at 2 p.m.

Vice President Pence on Saturday will deliver the commencement address at Taylor University in Upland, Ind.

First lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpTrump privately blamed Black Americans for lacking initiative: report The Hill's 12:30 Report: Ginsburg lies in repose Melania Trump: Ginsburg's 'spirit will live on in all she has inspired' MORE and Karen Pence Karen Sue PenceHow fast population growth made Arizona a swing state The 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 MORE are honorary co-chairs for Blue Star Museums, which kicks off on Saturday and ends on Labor Day, Sept. 2. The National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families partner to provide free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families when they visit more than 2,000 participating museums nationwide. Information is HERE.

The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center will host a Saturday event to bring Asian Pacific American culture to Washington DC — through Los Angeles. The party at the City Market Social House in L.A. will honor some of the country’s Asian Pacific American creators, including fusion cuisine chef Helene An and the An family; Asian American R&B jazz band Hiroshima; Jay Park, a choreographer, songwriter, entrepreneur and hip hop and R&B artist; and Vivek Ranadivé,, founder of the TIBCO tech company and the first Indian American majority owner of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Democrats joining the honorees from Congress’s California delegation: Reps. Jimmy Gomez Jimmy GomezDemocrats call for IRS to review tax-exempt status of NRA Trump says no Post Office funding means Democrats 'can't have universal mail-in voting' Hispanic Caucus asks for Department of Labor meeting on COVID in meatpacking plants MORE, Ted Lieu Ted W. LieuThe spin on Woodward's tapes reveals the hypocrisy of Democrats Larry Kudlow defends response to coronavirus: Trump 'led wisely' Lieu on Trump 'playing it down' on coronavirus: 'This is reckless homicide' MORE, Judy Chu Judy May ChuDHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Hispanic caucus report takes stock of accomplishments with eye toward 2021 Lawmakers of color blast Trump administration for reportedly instructing agencies to end anti-bias training MORE, Mark Takano Mark Allan TakanoCongress missed the point when it came to helping veterans During Suicide Prevention Month, Trump needs to do more for troops' mental health The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Fauci says focus should be on pausing reopenings rather than reverting to shutdowns; WHO director pleads for international unity in pandemic response MORE, Doris Matsui Doris Okada MatsuiDemocratic lawmaker calls telehealth expansion the 'silver lining' of pandemic The Hill's 12:30 Report: Delegates stage state-centric videos for the roll call Overnight Health Care: Obama leans into Trump criticism on coronavirus | CDC gives 3-month window for COVID-19 immunity MORE and Maxine Waters Maxine Moore WatersPowell, Mnuchin stress limits of current emergency lending programs Pelosi: House will stay in session until agreement is reached on coronavirus relief Omar invokes father's death from coronavirus in reaction to Woodward book MORE. Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III, the deputy consul general of the Philippines, and Akira Chiba, Japan’s consul general based in Los Angeles, will also attend. Information is HERE.





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ELSEWHERE





➔ Brexit: Talks between Tories and Labour collapsed today in the United Kingdom, yet another setback in the years of discussions about how to withdraw from the European Union (The Guardian).

➔ State Watch: The Trump administration said on Thursday it was formally canceling $929 million in previously awarded funding for California’s high-speed rail program after rejecting an appeal by the state (Reuters).

➔ Health: Want to know what helps prevent dementia? Exercise (The Associated Press).

➔ Architecture: I.M. Pei, the Chinese-born, Harvard-educated and world-famous architect, died Thursday at the age of 102. Pei was probably best known for designing the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington and the glass pyramid that serves as an entry for the Louvre in Paris. But early in his career he designed commercial real estate projects and took on modest commissions, such as a modernist addition to New College in Sarasota, Fla. (The New York Times).

➔ Marlon Bundo, the Pence family’s beloved bunny may be adored by the second family but he does not do much in the way of book sales. As Politico’s Gabby Orr reports, a trio of children’s books centered around “BOTUS” have not been a commercial success, having netted between $2,501 and $5,000 in income for the family last year, according to financial disclosures released Thursday.

Pence has joked in the past that he and the president are very much alike, save for “a whole lot of zeroes.”





THE CLOSER





And finally … Bravo to winners of this week’s Morning Report Quiz, about TV and movie celebrities who died recently and left their marks on entertainment.

These puzzle masters aced the questions: Ki L. Harvey, Lorraine Lindberg, Leanna DeKing, Tim Aiken, Andrew Kokas, Linda Tillery, Peter Delloro, Rich Davis, Ray Fleming, Ron Wolfarth, Allyson Foster, Donna Nackero, Carol Katz, Susan Reyes, Cheryl A. Gibson, Karen Fisher Gutheil, Elizabeth Murphy, Greg Stetson, Norm Roberts, Ramona Palmatier, Stewart Baker, Randall S. Patrick, Frank Hatfield, Dan Hebert, Michael Womble, Laura Silver, Rich Gruber, Renee Rodriguez, David Straney, Glen Clark, William Mattingly, Aaron Gebard, Serena Reeves, Jerry Kovar, Kym Dicome, Kathy Bilskie, Peter J. Stewart, Brian Repsher, Owen Johnson and Luther Berg.

Actress Peggy Lipton, who died Saturday at age 72, played Julie Barnes in hit series “The Mod Squad.”

Zoologist and “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” host Jim Fowler, who died on May 8, gained a huge and appreciative following as a late-night guest who brought wild and zoo animals to ad-lib with Johnny Carson.

Funny man Tim Conway, who died Tuesday, created television gold from 1967 to 1978 with Carol Burnett.

Doris Day, who died Tuesday at age 97, starred with some of her era’s most celebrated leading men. Humphrey Bogart, however, was never one of her cinematic love interests.



