To view past editions of The Hill's 12:30 Report, click here: http://bit.ly/1M1mIfw

To receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox, please sign up here: http://bit.ly/1Tt4hqN

--> 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: Kellyanne Conway Kellyanne Elizabeth ConwaySpecial counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report George and Kellyanne Conway honor Ginsburg Trump carries on with rally, unaware of Ginsburg's death MORE weighs in on feud between husband, Trump | Says Trump being 'protective of me' | Trump attacks on McCain rattle GOP senators | Biden advisers mull Abrams as running mate | 2020 Dems face pressure on liberal litmus tests | Trump may deploy emergency workers to staff detention centers | March Madness begins (!) | Bush 43 scores first hole-in-one

TALK OF THE MORNING

Hey, uh Jerry Springer, Dr. Phil -- what are you two up to?

And maybe Judge Judy depending on how things go:

'Pretend I'm telling you something really funny and we're having the best conversation.'

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway finally weighed in on the extremely public feud between her husband and her boss. http://bit.ly/2U1OzvI

Conway said it's "very unlike" her husband, George Conway, to publicly ridicule 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.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kellyanne says she believesis looking out for her by attacking her spouse. "I appreciate the president defending what he thinks is unfairness."

On why George could not keep the feud private: "You can ask George that, but I certainly have had those conversations."

Watch Kellyanne's interview on Fox Business Network -- this is all so awkward: http://bit.ly/2JrmDxi

This morning from George Conway -- 'But I won't back down, no I'll stand my ground':

This morning, George Conway went on a Twitter rampage against President Trump. http://bit.ly/2FrljGG

THE GIST OF CONWAY'S TWEETS:

"He's worst kind of dumb." http://bit.ly/2FsQ51X

"He lies even when it makes no sense to lie. As one of his lawyers once told me, Trump couldn't be allowed to talk to [Robert] Mueller because 'he'd lie his ass off.'" http://bit.ly/2TU5Abp

It’s Thursday — March Madness has just begun! 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 .

Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn

PROGRAMMING NOTE: The 12:30 Report will be off tomorrow for "Executive Time." ;) We will be back Monday. Don't have too much fun without me.

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Let me just read this again:

Via The Hill's Niv Elis, President Trump is considering sending natural disaster workers to staff overcrowded detention centers for migrants trying to cross the U.S. border. http://bit.ly/2uncR58

Why this is idea is getting some weird looks: It's highly unusual and would put federal employees who signed up to help natural disaster victims in a new, controversial role.

How many employees would Trump send?: 1,000 federal workers.

BACK STORY: "The detention centers for migrants and asylum-seekers who crossed the border have become a flashpoint in the immigration debate. Democrats have excoriated the Trump administration for separating families, holding children for prolonged periods and treating migrants in ways that they say constitutes neglect. Two adults and two children have died while in custody."

NEWS THIS MORNING

New Zealand gun ban:

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the country will ban the sale of assault rifles and semi-automatic guns. http://bit.ly/2TpduVz

From Ardern: "We will ban all high-capacity magazines. We will ban all parts with the ability to convert semi-automatic or any other type of firearm into a military-style semi-automatic weapon. We will ban parts that cause a firearm to generate semi-automatic, automatic or close to automatic gunfire."

What sparked this: A gunman opened fire on two New Zealand mosques last week, killing 50 people.

REACTION IN THE UNITED STATES: Lawmakers are putting pressure on social media companies to root out white supremacists. How that's going: http://bit.ly/2OhGnSR

IN CONGRESS

Republicans slide back in their chairs and hope to slide out of the room entirely:

Via The Hill's Alexander Bolton, "President Trump's disparaging attack on the late Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainCindy McCain endorses Biden: He's only candidate 'who stands up for our values' Biden says Cindy McCain will endorse him Biden's six best bets in 2016 Trump states MORE (R-Ariz.) is upsetting Senate Republicans who see the repeated insults on a war hero and former pillar of the Senate as unnecessary and corrosive." http://bit.ly/2HLXATm

The line yesterday that brought took Trump's comments to another level: "I gave him the kind of funeral that he wanted, which as president I had to approve," President Trump told workers, who went silent during the remarks, at a tank factory in Lima. "I don't care about this, I didn't get a thank you. That's OK." Watch Trump: http://bit.ly/2HKDdpu

Timing: These comments come days after President Trump's first veto of a measure blocking his national emergency to build a border wall. Twelve Senate Republicans voted against the emergency. I.e.: It's getting tense between the president and his party on Capitol Hill.

Celeb status:

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezHouse passes bill to avert shutdown Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' The Memo: Dems face balancing act on SCOTUS fight MORE (D-N.Y.) made this week's cover of Time magazine.

Photo of the cover: http://bit.ly/2Fp9XSe

The cover story: "'Change Is Closer Than We Think.' Inside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Unlikely Rise" http://bit.ly/2WfVSxu

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Turf wars:

Via Politico's Christopher Cadelago and David Siders, Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice First presidential debate to cover coronavirus, Supreme Court Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (D-Calif.) is making a strong push in Texas, the home state of competing presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke Beto O'RourkeJimmy Carter says his son smoked pot with Willie Nelson on White House roof O'Rourke endorses Kennedy for Senate: 'A champion for the values we're most proud of' 2020 Democrats do convention Zoom call MORE. https://politi.co/2UPuWnJ

And she's courting Texans: "Harris has already reached out to Congressional Black Caucus members from Texas, including Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson Eddie Bernice JohnsonHillicon 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 House passes legislation to boost election security research Hillicon Valley: Twitter flags Trump campaign tweet of Biden clip as manipulated media | Democrats demand in-person election security briefings resume | Proposed rules to protect power grid raise concerns MORE, Sheila Jackson Lee Sheila Jackson LeeHillicon Valley: Murky TikTok deal raises questions about China's role | Twitter investigating automated image previews over apparent algorithmic bias | House approves bill making hacking federal voting systems a crime House approves legislation making hacking voting systems a federal crime Lawmakers press CDC for guidance on celebrating Halloween during pandemic MORE, Al Green Alexander (Al) N. GreenThe Memo: Trump's race tactics fall flat Trump administration ending support for 7 Texas testing sites as coronavirus cases spike The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Miami mayor worries about suicide and domestic violence rise; Trump-governor debate intensifies MORE, Colin Allred and Marc Veasey Marc Allison VeaseyJoaquin Castro questions whether postal workers broke federal law by hiding mail Chinese tech giants caught up in rising US-China tensions House members race to prepare for first-ever remote votes MORE, according to a Democrat familiar with the calls."

Who can run furthest to the left:

Via The Hill's Max Greenwood and Mike Lillis, "Democratic presidential hopefuls, under fierce pressure from liberal activists and base voters, are racing to embrace a series of progressive policy proposals that are quickly emerging as litmus tests ahead of 2020." http://bit.ly/2FnonT5

How so: "At town halls and meet-and-greets in early primary states, the Democrats are being pushed to stake out positions on 'Medicare for all' and the Green New Deal, the progressive plan to combat climate change and economic inequality." http://bit.ly/2FnonT5

Oooh fancy – Biden may announce a running mate early:

Via Axios's Mike Allen, former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' MORE's advisers are considering combining Biden's presidential announcement with naming Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams as his running mate. Details: http://bit.ly/2U0Btih

The Onion, winning the hearts of America:

Biden Pulls Off Dusty Tarp Covering Old Campaign Motorcycle https://t.co/NF9dILxdgy pic.twitter.com/MNnO5dOfFo — The Onion (@TheOnion) March 20, 2019

Interesting tidbit:

MSNBC's "Morning Joe" co-host Joe Scarborough tweeted, "Mika and I have been overwhelmed by the reaction Pete Buttigieg got after being on the show. The only other time in twelve years that we heard from as many people about a guest was after Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaMichelle Obama and Jennifer Lopez exchange Ginsburg memories Pence defends Trump's 'obligation' to nominate new Supreme Court justice The militia menace MORE appeared on Morning Joe." http://bit.ly/2TMugmG

NOTABLE TWEETS

What a gloomy morning:

Mueller, driving himself, arrives to his office this morning in Washington. Photo by AP’s Andrew Harnik pic.twitter.com/89pauEqf8f — Robert Costa (@costareports) March 21, 2019

ON TAP

The House and Senate are out.

11 a.m. EDT: President Trump held a business roundtable in Washington, D.C.

3:15 p.m. EDT: President Trump signs an executive order requiring colleges to allow free speech or lose federal funding. Details: https://abc7ne.ws/2CwZsf1

3:15 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence receives a briefing from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Atlanta.

8:45 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence gets back to Washington, D.C.

WHAT TO WATCH

3:15 p.m. EDT: President Trump has a signing ceremony for his executive order on free speech. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2CrUwrS

4:15 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence speaks to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2TlFKbF

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National French Bread Day.

Congrats, Mr. President! Now go celebrate at the 19th hole:

Former President George W. Bush recorded his first hole-in-one while golfing on Wednesday. Details: http://bit.ly/2HJL8TT

Bush's celebratory Instagram post: http://bit.ly/2WdH8ir