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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: Barr faces questions on Mueller report | Says report will be released 'within a week' | Defends effort to overturn ObamaCare | Mnuchin still reviewing request for Trump tax returns | Fight over returns heating up | Stephen Miller's influence grows | GOP worries Trump will bring back family separations | Trump feuds with Nadler

NEWS OF THE MORNING

OK, have we ~completely~ ruled out the possibility that John Goodman and William Barr Bill BarrProsecutor says no charges in Michigan toilet voting display Judge rules Snowden to give up millions from book, speeches The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Washington on edge amid SCOTUS vacancy MORE are the same person?:

Attorney General William Barr is testifying on Capitol Hill this morning about his 2020 budget request and on his four-page summary 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 Russia report.

Photo of photographers waiting for Barr to arrive: Or as Politico's Kyle Cheney puts it, "The Bill Barr welcoming committee." Photo: http://bit.ly/2D56rfr

Livestream of the hearing: https://cs.pn/2U5TasE

Live blog of updates: http://bit.ly/2UsvO5A



NEWS FROM THE HEARING:

When the Mueller report will be released: Within a week. Barr's explanation: "The process is going along very well. My original timetable of being able to release this by mid-April stands. ... Within a week, I will be in a position to release the report to the public and then I will engage with the chairman of the Judiciary committees." http://bit.ly/2ImvSN1

What is currently happening with the report: "DOJ is working with the special counsel's office and DOJ will color code the report and add explanations for the basis of each redaction of the report." http://bit.ly/2UI6qYR

On whether Barr knew what the Mueller report would say: "Barr confirms he 'had an inkling' of what Mueller was going to conclude because of briefings and conversations before Mueller filed his report." http://bit.ly/2IjG490

Was the Mueller team involved with the four-page summary?: No. "Bill Barr reveals that Mueller team DID NOT have a role in drafting his letter to Hill outlining the top-line conclusions of Mueller report. Mueller team was offered a chance to review it but declined." http://bit.ly/2UF1STl

^On deciding what information will be public: "I am relying on my own discretion to make as much public as I can," Barr said. http://bit.ly/2IsdT7Q

On Trump's efforts to strike down ObamaCare in court: Barr was asked why the DOJ would take such "dramatic and drastic action." Barr replied: "Do you think it's likely we're going to prevail? ... We are in litigation and we have to take a position. If you think it's such an outrageous position, you have nothing to worry about. Let the courts do its job." http://bit.ly/2Vu9vci

^Barr also said: "I'm a lawyer. I'm not in charge of health care." http://bit.ly/2OWD6Zo

It's a beautifully warm Tuesday in D.C. 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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IN THE WHITE HOUSE

The big man on campus:

Via The Hill's Brett Samuels, "Stephen Miller's power in the White House is on the rise with the departure of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen Kirstjen Michele NielsenDHS IG won't investigate after watchdog said Wolf, Cuccinelli appointments violated law Appeals court sides with Trump over drawdown of immigrant protections Democrats smell blood with new DHS whistleblower complaint MORE, giving the influential immigration adviser a stronger hand in reshaping 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 border security team." http://bit.ly/2UHWIpt

How so: "The senior White House staffer's name has been linked to recent upheaval in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the president seeks more like-minded allies in enforcing immigration law and curbing the flow of migrants into the country. Over the past four days, Trump has withdrawn his nominee to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), announced Nielsen's resignation and ousted the head of the Secret Service."

IF YOU DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT STEPHEN MILLER:

Here's a profile of Miller from Vanity Fair's William D. Cohan: http://bit.ly/2IesSTZ

This a.m. -- airing dirty laundry:

President Trump slammed Rep. Jerrold Nadler Jerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerSchumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence House passes bill to protect pregnant workers MORE (D-N.Y.) this morning on Twitter. http://bit.ly/2OXjtk9

Trump tweeted: "Congressman Jerry Nadler Jerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerSchumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence House passes bill to protect pregnant workers MORE fought me for years on a very large development I built on the West Side of Manhattan. He wanted a Rail Yard built underneath the development or even better, to stop the job. He didn't get either & the development became VERY successful. Nevertheless, I got along very well with Jerry during the zoning and building process. Then I changed course (slightly), became President, and now I am dealing with Congressman Nadler again. Some things never end, but hopefully it will all go well for everyone. Only time will tell!" http://bit.ly/2Ung7g2

WHAT SPARKED THIS TWEET:

The Washington Post's Rachael Bade and Josh Dawsey published an article yesterday on the feud between President Trump and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), who is leading investigations into the president. The gist: "Trump's feud with Jerry Nadler rooted in decades-old New York real estate project." https://wapo.st/2uVuGIB

IN CONGRESS

What is keeping Republicans up at night:

Via The Hill's Alexander Bolton, if President Trump decides to renew his past policy of separating families who are detained on the U.S.-Mexico border, he will be picking a fight with Senate Republicans. http://bit.ly/2WVT5d5

Why now: Trump reportedly fired Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen after she resisted returning to the policy of separating children. Trump is now expected to choose an immigration hard-liner to replace Nielsen.

IN OTHER NEWS

Trump's tax returns might as well be red meat:

Via The Hill's Naomi Jagoda, "Tensions are mounting in the fight over President Trump's tax returns, as the deadline for when Democrats said the IRS must provide them to Congress approaches." http://bit.ly/2G75LXY

Two officials feeling the pressure today: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Steven Terner MnuchinOn The Money: Powell, Mnuchin stress limits of emergency loans | House seeks to salvage vote on spending bill | Economists tell lawmakers: Kill the virus to heal the economy Economists spanning spectrum say recovery depends on containing virus Powell, Mnuchin stress limits of current emergency lending programs MORE and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, who are both testifying on Capitol Hill today.

Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2I8lBVr

LATE THIS MORNING -- REACTION FROM MNUCHIN:

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said it would be "premature" for him to comment on Democrats' request for President Trump's tax returns. In Mnuchin's words: "I think it would be premature at this point to make any specific comments other than, as I've been consistent before in saying, it is being reviewed by the legal departments and we look forward to responding to the letter." http://bit.ly/2I9NkoS

Two arrested for vandalizing a slave memorial:

Via The Daily Tar Heel's Taylor Buck, two people were arrested on charges of vandalizing a slave memorial at the University of North Carolina. Who: 50-year-old Nancy McCorkle and 31-year-old Ryan Barnett. http://bit.ly/2G52oAH

Oh: "McCorkle and Barnett were also issued a criminal summons for removing the UNC-system flag, valued at $585, on UNC's campus and raising a Confederate flag at the UNC System Building."

NOTABLE TWEETS

Oh mannnn:

Close-up of the dressed-up Peeps: http://bit.ly/2WYXrQv

ON TAP

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

Noon: President Trump meets with the president of Egypt.

12:30 p.m. EDT: The Senate breaks for weekly caucus luncheons. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2D5nyhr

12:35 p.m. EDT: President Trump holds an expanded working lunch with the president of Egypt. Vice President Pence attends.

2 p.m. EDT: First votes in the House. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2uWNE1r

4:30 p.m. EDT: Last votes in the House.

WHAT TO WATCH

This morning: Attorney General William Barr testifies on the Justice Department's 2020 budget. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2U5TasE

This morning: The Senate Homeland Security Committee held a hearing on the southern border. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2IjnA8I

This morning: The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on hate crimes. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2KncVfT

2 p.m. EDT: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin testifies on the state of the international financial system. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2UsWyDh

10 p.m. EDT: CNN is holding a town hall with presidential candidate 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.).

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Chinese Almond Cookie Day.

How accurate is this chart?:

New York-based artist Mari Andrews created an illustration outlining popular foods by decade. For example: Watermelon with feta in the 2000s, mango salsa in the 1990s and mason jar prohibition-era cocktails in the 2010s. Photo of the trend chart: http://bit.ly/2Gd3onI