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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: Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Bernie Sanders warns of 'nightmare scenario' if Trump refuses election results Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE jumps into 2020 race | New rankings: 10 Dems most likely to win nomination | Ginsburg back on the bench | 16 states sue over border declaration | Trump rips 'Open Border Dems' for suit | Roger Stone Roger Jason StoneThe agony of justice Our Constitution is under attack by Attorney General William Barr Justice IG investigating Stone sentencing: report MORE ordered to court after sharing photo of judge with crosshairs | DC braces for snow storm | Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld dies | Burberry sorry for controversial hoodie

NEWS OF THE MORNING

Before you keep reading, here's your theme music for this news -- it's 2016 all over again

--> http://bit.ly/2BKrALw ;)

Everyone's feeling a little Bern whether they like it or not:

This morning, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced that he will be running for president again in 2020.

Watch his announcement video: http://bit.ly/2GxArUM

Sanders said on Vermont Public Radio: "I wanted to let the people of the state of Vermont know about this first. And what I promise to do is, as I go around the country, is to take the values that all of us in Vermont are proud of -- a belief in justice, in community, in grass-roots politics, in town meetings -- that's what I'm going to carry all over this country." Listen to his full VPR interview: http://bit.ly/2XbER8V

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"I think the current occupant of the White House is an embarrassment to our country," Sanders said. "I think he is a pathological liar ... I also think he is a racist, a sexist, a homophobe, a xenophobe, somebody who is gaining cheap political points by trying to pick on minorities, often undocumented immigrants."

Interesting tidbit about liberal energy for 2020: Via The Washington Post's Matt Viser, "Liberal energy among Democrats is real. But two things to keep in mind:

1) Iowa caucuses, long dominated by liberal activists, are allowing absentee component that could moderate results

2) No major GOP contest means unenrolled NH voters may choose to vote in Dem primary." http://bit.ly/2TVkGKd

From Vox: "Bernie Sanders is running for president again. This time, he's a frontrunner. Can Sanders win his own political revolution?" http://bit.ly/2EiaPJi

REACTION FROM THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN -- USING THE S-WORD: "Bernie Sanders has already won the debate in the Democrat primary, because every candidate is embracing his brand of socialism," the campaign said in a statement. "But the American people will reject an agenda of sky-high tax rates, government-run health care and coddling dictators like those in Venezuela. Only President Trump will keep America free, prosperous and safe." http://bit.ly/2GDvLNl

The mathematical expression for how many Democrats are running in 2020 -- 'Everyone and their mother':

Via The Hill's Niall Stanage, here's a ranking of the top 10 Democrats who have a chance at getting the Democratic presidential nomination -- and why:

Reasoning for each and their previous rankings: http://bit.ly/2Gzduk6

It's already 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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NEWS THIS MORNING

RBG is BAC(K):

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is back on the bench for the first time since her surgery in late December. http://bit.ly/2DYtrN8

Is this her first day back?: Not really. Ginsburg was at the court on Friday for a closed-door meeting to decide which cases would be reviewed.

TIDBIT -- TMZ FILMED HER AT DCA: TMZ has video of Ginsburg at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport yesterday. Watch the 35-second clip: http://bit.ly/2IreLLM

A fashion icon has died:

Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld died in Paris earlier today at the age of 85. Keep in mind: Lagerfeld had been the creative director of Chanel since 1983 and Fendi since 1965. https://nyti.ms/2EifA5i

Vogue's announcement and tribute: http://bit.ly/2GvUeEd

First lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpMelania Trump: Ginsburg's 'spirit will live on in all she has inspired' The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - You might want to download TikTok now Warning label added to Trump tweet over potential mail-in voting disinformation MORE tweeted: "Today the world lost a creative genius. We will miss you Karl! #RIPKarlLagerfeld" http://bit.ly/2tCdS97

SNOW IS COMING

The DMV will be under a winter storm warning tomorrow:

The Washington, D.C. area is expected to get three to six inches of snow tomorrow, followed by sleet and freezing rain. What to expect: http://bit.ly/2DXkAv7

When the D.C. area will be under a winter storm warning: 10 p.m. tonight until 10 p.m. Wednesday. http://bit.ly/2DXkAv7

Crews have already begun pre-treating the roads: https://wapo.st/2GzGVlR

Full D.C. area forecast for this week: Via The Capital Weather Gang: https://wapo.st/2BSVayz

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Trump would like to have a word with some Democrats:

This morning, President Trump ripped a mostly Democratic-led effort to block his national emergency to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. http://bit.ly/2V6jaW4

Trump tweeted: "As I predicted, 16 cities, led mostly by Open Border Democrats and the Radical Left, have filed a lawsuit in, of course, the 9th Circuit! California, the state that has wasted billions of dollars on their out of control Fast Train, with no hope of completion, seems in charge! ... The failed Fast Train project in California, where the cost overruns are becoming world record setting, is hundreds of times more expensive than the desperately needed Wall!" http://bit.ly/2SYuwxV

BACK STORY: A group of 16 states filed a lawsuit to block President Trump's national emergency declaration to build a wall. Keep in mind: Fifteen of the 16 states in the suit have Democratic governors. http://bit.ly/2tC5SVD

ON CAPITOL HILL

It's tax refund SZN:

"The Trump administration and key GOP lawmakers are playing defense after early data showed Americans are getting smaller tax refunds in the first filing season under the GOP tax law." The numbers: "The average refund size through Feb. 8 was 8.7 percent smaller than the same period last year, according to IRS figures." How Democrats are seizing on those numbers: http://bit.ly/2XdGbbw

Making a list and checking it twice:

Via The Hill's Juliegrace Brufke, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee just released a list of Republican "retirements to watch list" of potential GOP targets in 2020. http://bit.ly/2In218X

Who is on the list: "The list of lawmakers includes GOP Reps. Don Young Donald (Don) Edwin YoungFlorida Democrat introduces bill to recognize Puerto Rico statehood referendum House Democratic campaign leader predicts bigger majority Young wins Alaska GOP House primary MORE (Alaska), Reps. David Schweikert David SchweikertHouse Democratic campaign leader predicts bigger majority Democrat Hiral Tipirneni wins Ariz. primary to challenge Rep. David Schweikert Ethics watchdog finds 'substantial' evidence of improper spending by Rep. Sanford Bishop MORE (Ariz.), Duncan Hunter Duncan HunterDCCC reserves new ad buys in competitive districts, adds new members to 'Red to Blue' program Wife of former Rep. Duncan Hunter sentenced to 8 months of home confinement Harris endorses Democrat in tight California House race MORE (Calif.), Ross Spano Vincent (Ross) Ross SpanoThe Hill's Morning Report - Jill Biden urges country to embrace her husband Rep. Ross Spano loses Florida GOP primary amid campaign finance scrutiny The Hill's Convention Report: Democrats gear up for Day Two of convention MORE (Fla.), Vern Buchanan Vernon Gale BuchananMORE (Fla.), 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 (Ga.) -- who already announced he plans to retire next cycle -- Susan Brooks Susan Wiant BrooksThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump, GOP allies prepare for SCOTUS nomination this week The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Washington on edge amid SCOTUS vacancy House Democrats' campaign arm reserves .6M in ads in competitive districts MORE (Ind.), Fred Upton Frederick (Fred) Stephen UptonOn Paycheck Protection Program, streamlined forgiveness is key Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Progressives soaring after big primary night MORE (Mich.), Ann Wagner Ann Louise WagnerHouse Suburban Caucus advances congressional pandemic response DCCC reserves new ad buys in competitive districts, adds new members to 'Red to Blue' program Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates MORE (Mo.), Chris Smith (N.J.), Pete King Peter (Pete) KingTrump holds private funeral service for brother Robert Trump at White House Cheney clashes with Trump Coronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney MORE (N.Y.), John Katko John Michael KatkoThis week: House returns for pre-election sprint Hillicon Valley: Simulated cyberattack success | New bill for election security funding | Amazon could be liable for defective products Lawmakers introduce bill to help election officials address cyber vulnerabilities MORE (N.Y.), Chris Collins Christopher (Chris) Carl CollinsConspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention NY Republican Chris Jacobs wins special election to replace Chris Collins 5 things to watch in Tuesday's primaries MORE (N.Y.), Steve Chabot Steven (Steve) Joseph ChabotCentrist Democrats 'strongly considering' discharge petition on GOP PPP bill Lawmakers call for expanded AI role in education, business to remain competitive The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep MORE (Ohio), Mike McCaul (Texas), Pete Olson Peter (Pete) Graham OlsonShakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' The time for HELP is now: Senate should pass bill to expedite recovery following natural disasters House Democrats reserve airtime for voters of color in Texas MORE (Texas), Kenny Marchant Kenny Ewell MarchantHouse Ethics panel recommends ,000 fine for Rep. Schweikert's campaign finance violations Candace Valenzuela wins Texas runoff to replace retiring Rep. Marchant Ethics Committee reviewing Rep. Sanford Bishop's campaign spending MORE (Texas), John Carter John Rice CarterDonna Imam wins Democratic runoff to face Rep. John Carter House panel advances bill banning construction on bases with Confederate names Democrats see victory in Trump culture war MORE (Texas) and Jaime Herrera Beutler Jaime Lynn Herrera BeutlerCentrist Democrats 'strongly considering' discharge petition on GOP PPP bill This week: House returns for pre-election sprint GOP Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler advances in Washington primary MORE (Wash.)."

LATEST WITH THE RUSSIA INVESTIGATIONS

This a.m. -- Andrew McCabe Andrew George McCabeGraham: Comey to testify about FBI's Russia probe, Mueller declined invitation Barr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' GOP votes to authorize subpoenas, depositions in Obama-era probe MORE opens up:

"Former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe said Tuesday that none of the top eight congressional leaders objected when he briefed them in 2017 on the bureau's decision to open a counterintelligence investigation into President Trump." http://bit.ly/2SbXcPB

McCabe said on NBC's "Today": "The purpose of the briefing was to let to let our congressional leadership know exactly what we'd been doing."

What to know about the "Gang of Eight": The so-called Gang of Eight consists of the top two leaders from each party in each chamber of Congress and the chairs and the ranking members of the intelligence committees. "Representatives around the time of the 2017 meeting would have included Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), then-Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanKenosha will be a good bellwether in 2020 At indoor rally, Pence says election runs through Wisconsin Juan Williams: Breaking down the debates MORE (R-Wis.), Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare House lawmakers reach deal to avert shutdown Centrist Democrats 'strongly considering' discharge petition on GOP PPP bill MORE (D-Calif.)."

Thursday, Roger. Thursday.:

"The federal judge overseeing Roger Stone's criminal case in Washington, D.C., has ordered him to appear in court on Thursday to explain why the gag order she issued last week and his condition of release shouldn't be modified." http://bit.ly/2BIhQ4i

What sparked this: Yesterday, Stone "posted a picture on Instagram of U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson-- the federal judge overseeing his criminal case -- with what appeared to be small crosshairs next to her head. The post on Stone's Instagram account was quickly deleted, and he later apologized to the court." http://bit.ly/2GyXgri

In the coming weeks -- *taps the mic* is this thing on?:

When President Trump's former longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen speaks to House and Senate committee members in the coming weeks, he will detail "bigoted" language from when he was working for Trump. How we know: According to his attorney Lanny Davis. http://bit.ly/2EklZNL

NOTABLE TWEETS

Getting traction -- This video is insane:



Unbelievable footage from the pileup on I-70 today. My jaw dropped to the floor first time I saw this video. pic.twitter.com/kKeauYDlfG — Dante' Jones (@Dantej21) February 15, 2019

ON TAP

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

11:30 a.m. EST: President Trump met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoOvernight 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 Overnight Defense: House Democrats unveil stopgap spending measure to GOP opposition | Bill includes .6B for new subs | Trump issues Iran sanctions after world shrugs at US action at UN Navalny calls on Russia to return clothes he was wearing when he fell ill MORE.

12:15 p.m. EST: President Trump meets with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.

1 p.m. EST: President Trump has lunch with Vice President Pence.

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signs Space Policy Directive 4 in the Oval Office.

5 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence swears in the U.S. ambassador to Australia.

Friday: The National Governors Association winter meeting begins in Washington, D.C. Details: http://bit.ly/2NeVP1A

WHAT TO WATCH

2:30 p.m. EST: State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino holds a press briefing. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2GSiDCX

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Chocolate Mint Day.

Today in 'I Could Have Told Them That Was A Bad Idea':

Fashion brand Burberry issued a statement apologizing for a hoodie with a noose around the neck during its London Fashion Week show. Photo: https://cnn.it/2Nd5tSo