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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: Trump invites congressional leaders to White House | Latest as shutdown enters 12th day | Smithsonian, National Zoo to close | Trump hits back at Romney op-ed | Stock market drops | Fights we're watching in the new year | Political figures share their resolutions | Serena Williams, Roger Federer play for first time | Top diet for 2019

LATEST WITH THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Step into my office:

President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE is meeting with top Republican and Democratic congressional leaders in the White House today for a briefing on border security. http://bit.ly/2VlREEZ

Who is invited: Expected Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPowell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings MORE (D-Calif.), incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer Steny Hamilton HoyerDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep Coons beats back progressive Senate primary challenger in Delaware MORE (D-Md.), House GOP leaders Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthyDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise House GOP slated to unveil agenda ahead of election How Trump's false attacks on mail-in voting could backfire on him MORE (Calif.) and Steve Scalise Stephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseHouse GOP slated to unveil agenda ahead of election House panel details 'serious' concerns around Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin elections Scalise hit with ethics complaint over doctored Barkan video MORE (La.), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden 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 The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden asks if public can trust vaccine from Trump ahead of Election Day | Oklahoma health officials raised red flags before Trump rally MORE (R-Ky.), Senate Majority Whip John Thune John Randolph ThunePowell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Democrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise MORE (R-S.D.), Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise Pelosi, Schumer 'encouraged' by Trump call for bigger coronavirus relief package Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (D-N.Y.), and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin Richard (Dick) Joseph DurbinSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Top GOP senator calls for Biden to release list of possible Supreme Court picks GOP ramps up attacks on Democrats over talk of nixing filibuster MORE (Ill.).

Timing of the briefing: "The news of the briefing comes after a prolonged impasse in which Trump hammered Democrats as weak on border security, and Democrats set out a plan to pass bills reopening the government in the House, which they will control starting Thursday."

The current situation: "Trump has demanded $5 billion to fund a border wall along the southern border, while Democrats have refused to offer anything more than an extension for 2018 border security funds that included $1.3 billion for fencing,"

NEW CLOSURES: Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo just announced they will close because of the partial government shutdown. Was this expected?: Yes, the Smithsonian announced last week that it would have to close if the shutdown continued past Jan. 1. Why now: The Smithsonian had remained open by using funds from prior years. http://bit.ly/2CI0q8I

It's Wednesday -- welcome back! 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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TALK OF THE MORNING

Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyThe Memo: Warning signs flash for Trump on debates GOP votes to authorize subpoenas, depositions in Obama-era probe Overnight Defense: Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing l Air Force reveals it secretly built and flew new fighter jet l Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' MORE rolls into Washington like...

Sen.-elect Mitt Romney (R-Utah) wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post slamming President Trump for his character. https://wapo.st/2EY9bNH

HERE ARE A FEW KEY EXCERPTS:

On Trump's character: "To a great degree, a presidency shapes the public character of the nation. ... With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring."

Why Romney says he wrote this op-ed now: "The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December."

Romney gave examples: "The departures of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, the appointment of senior persons of lesser experience, the abandonment of allies who fight beside us, and the president's thoughtless claim that America has long been a 'sucker' in world affairs all defined his presidency down."

Romney on his upcoming Senate term: "I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions."

Read the full op-ed: https://wapo.st/2EY9bNH

THIS A.M. -- THE REACTION WE'VE (OBVIOUSLY) BEEN WAITING FOR: President Trump responded to Romney's scathing op-ed. Trump tweeted: "Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didn't. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!" http://bit.ly/2CLYaxn

^^WHERE IT GETS AWKWARD: Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel, who happens to be Mitt Romney's niece (!), responded to President Trump's tweet siding with the president.

She tweeted: "POTUS is attacked and obstructed by the MSM media and Democrats 24/7. For an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack @realdonaldtrump as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive." I.e.: The next Romney family reunion should be fun. http://bit.ly/2BTVhck

HAPPENING AT 4 P.M. EST: Romney will appear on CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper."

NEWS THIS MORNING

Even the stock market has new year scaries:

Via The Hill's Sylvan Lane, "U.S. stocks dropped swiftly Wednesday morning, the first day of trading in 2019, amid rising concerns about the global economy and major technology companies." http://bit.ly/2SvRyZj

Opening this week -- sorry everyone, the day care is for kids only:

Via NPR's Susan Davis Susan Carol DavisThe Hill's Campaign Report: Minneapolis protests rock the nation Gloves come off as Democrats fight for House seat in California Warren announces slate of endorsements including Wendy Davis and Cornyn challenger Hegar MORE, a new day care facility is opening on Capitol Hill for the children of U.S. House employees. Why this big: It will reduce the waitlist for the House's day care from three years to one year. Sorry, Senate side: This is only for House employees. The Senate day care still has a big waiting list. Photo of the play area -- the tiny Capitol dome is adorable!: https://n.pr/2LKmhzs

IN CONGRESS

Welcome baaack:

Via The Hill's Jordain Carney, Congress is returning to Congress this week with several fights on the docket for 2019. And let's not forget: The 2020 presidential election looms in the background. http://bit.ly/2CLnmEm

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:

The fight over funding the partially closed government

Nomination fights to confirm President Trump's replacement Cabinet picks -- remember all of the controversial reshuffling before the holidays?

Raising the debt ceiling

Trump needs Congress to pass his new trade deal with Canada and Mexico

Several foreign policy fights, including the removal of all troops from Syria and some from Afghanistan.

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

Happening next week -- it's always ObamaCare SZN:

Via The Hill's Peter Sullivan, "The House will hold a vote next week on intervening to defend ObamaCare in court against a GOP-led lawsuit, which Democrats hope will be a tough vote for many Republicans." http://bit.ly/2GRbxk2

IN OTHER NEWS

Because it's 2020 now ... for the next ... two ... years:



On Monday: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenNo new taxes for the ultra rich — fix bad tax policy instead Democrats back away from quick reversal of Trump tax cuts It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing presidential candidates MORE (Mass.) became the first major Democratic name to jump into the 2020 presidential race ... announcing that she is forming an exploratory committee to run for the White House." http://bit.ly/2F2aB9P

On Jan. 12: Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro will announce his decision on whether to run for president. http://bit.ly/2QeeLNT

Everyone has a New Year's resolution:

The Hill's Judy Kurtz asked prominent political figures about their resolutions for the new year. Here's the list: http://bit.ly/2AllGzJ

My personal favorite: Rep. Eric Swalwell Eric Michael SwalwellSwalwell calls for creation of presidential crimes commission to investigate Trump when he leaves office 'This already exists': Democrats seize on potential Trump executive order on preexisting conditions Swalwell: Barr has taken Michael Cohen's job as Trump's fixer MORE (D-Calif.) answered: "My resolution for 2019 is potty training. Not for me. For my 18-month-old son. But his 8-week-old sister will probably achieve that first."

IN SPORTS NEWS

GOAT v. GOAT

Putting to bed a much-discussed hypothetical scenario:

Tennis stars Roger Federer and Serena Williams, both 37 years old, faced off in a tennis match for the first time. https://nyti.ms/2GPn7vZ

Who won: "[Roger Federer] and his partner, Belinda Bencic, beat [Serena Williams] and Frances Tiafoe in an abbreviated format match by the score of 4-2, 4-3 (5-3) in 46 minutes."

Though: "Long exchanges between the two proved few, however, with each using their serve to effectively neutralize the other."

SO. GREAT.: Serena Williams and Roger Federer did a joint interview on the court after. Video -- it's pretty funny: http://bit.ly/2Qicy47

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MATCH: Wow, the first point of this video is insane: http://bit.ly/2CJL9o7

NOTABLE TWEETS

Overheard in D.C. -- I can't roll my eyes enough:

OH at dinner party: “I texted him and asked if he was essential personnel. Because that’s how you flirt in Washington.” — Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) January 2, 2019

That's not what we meant by ~Krispy~ Kreme doughnuts :(

A Krispy Kreme truck caught fire in Lexington, Ky., on Monday. Police officers mourned the loss. Keep in mind: There were no injuries, except for some of the doughnuts. The full back story: http://bit.ly/2LLeSjl

Haaaaaaa:

Note the poster on the table in the Cabinet Room. pic.twitter.com/iHc9e5LIg1 — Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) January 2, 2019

Full-size photo: http://bit.ly/2TlpV5i

Keep in mind about the cabinet meeting:

“1/3 of attendees at today's [White House] cabinet meeting are in an ‘Acting’ capacity:

Chief of Staff,

Defense Secretary,

Attorney General,

US Ambassador to the UN,

EPA Administrator,

OMB Director,

& Interior Secretary (deputy attending)...” http://bit.ly/2ArPlHv

ON TAP

Today: Day 12 of the partial government shutdown.

Today: President Trump invited top congressional leaders in both parties to the White House for a briefing on border security. http://bit.ly/2VlREEZ

4 p.m. EST: The Senate meets.

Thursday: The 116th Congress is sworn in.

WHAT TO WATCH

4 p.m. EST: Sen.-elect Mitt Romney (R-Utah) appears on CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper."

4 p.m. EST: The Senate meets the day before the next Congress begins. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2Au0dod

Tomorrow morning: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) sits down with NBC's Savannah Guthrie on "Today." Pelosi is expected to be elected Speaker on Thursday. Keep in mind: A preview of the interview will air tonight on NBC's "Nightly News."

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Cream Puff Day.

That diet is ~so~ 2019:

The Mediterranean diet was ranked the best diet for 2019, according to new rankings by US News and World Report. https://cnn.it/2s4OmZd

Other categories the Mediterranean diet won: "Best diet for healthy eating, best plant-based diet, best diet for diabetes and easiest diet to follow."

The gist of the diet: It focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish and lots of extra virgin olive oil. "Meat can make a rare appearance, usually only to flavor a dish. Instead, meals may include eggs, dairy and poultry, but in much smaller portions than in the traditional Western diet." https://cnn.it/2s4OmZd

The full list of best diet rankings by category: http://bit.ly/2EZapJa