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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: Supreme Court rules against Trump census citizenship question | Sights and sounds from first debate night | What we learned | Key takeaways | Strong performance from Warren | Candidates break out their Spanish | Inslee becomes a meme | Trump kept on the sidelines | What to watch on night two | NBC tech issues spark Twitter jokes | Border bill fight heats up in Congress | Latest from Trump G-20 trip

BREAKING -- ON THE LAST DAY OF THE SUPREME COURT TERM

No citizenship question on the 2020 census -- well, for now...:

On the last day of the Supreme Court's term, the court ruled that the Trump administration did not give enough of a reason for adding the citizenship question to the 2020 census. http://bit.ly/320UnqL

The ruling: 5-4. Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the liberal justices.

From Roberts's majority opinion: "The decision to reinstate a citizenship question cannot be adequately explained in terms of [the Department of Justice's] request for improved citizenship data to better enforce the [Voting Rights Act] .... Several points, considered together, reveal a significant mismatch between the decision [Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross Wilbur Louis RossTrump admin asks Supreme Court to fast-track excluding people in U.S. illegally from census Trump 'very happy' to allow TikTok to operate in US if security concerns resolved TikTok, WeChat to be banned Sunday from US app stores MORE] made and the rationale he provided."

Was this ruling expected?: No, this was a surprise win for those who are opposed to adding the citizenship question.

Keep in mind about this case: This was one of the most highly anticipated rulings of the term.

Full explanation of the ruling from The Hill's Jacqueline Thomsen: http://bit.ly/320UnqL

IF YOU FIND THIS CONFUSING:

Watch NBC News's Justice Correspondent Pete Williams read and analyze the ruling in real time: https://on.msnbc.com/2NhRDSf

Gerrymandering cases -- Not your job, courts:

The Supreme Court ruled this morning that courts cannot rule on political partisan gerrymandering cases. http://bit.ly/2NhIIjY

The cases: The ruling was made on two cases involving political maps, one in Maryland and one in North Carolina.

The ruling: 5-4 along ideological lines.

The gist of Chief Justice John Roberts's majority opinion: "Roberts acknowledged that the maps at issue 'are highly partisan, by any measure,' but he said courts were ill-equipped to step in when legislators went too far when it comes to the politically sensitive task of drawing districts." https://politi.co/2Nij6n5

In Roberts's words: "Excessive partisanship in districting leads to results that reasonably seem unjust. But the fact that such gerrymandering is 'incompatible with democratic principles,' does not mean that the solution lies with the federal judiciary." http://bit.ly/2NhIIjY

It's a steaming hot Thursday in Washington, 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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TALK OF THE MORNING

10 down, 10 to go:

Theme music for today's newsletter: It'll get you in the zone, I promise. http://bit.ly/31XtOSX

TAKEAWAYS FROM LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE:

Context and details for each from The Hill's Niall Stanage: http://bit.ly/31VNKFQ

Who wasn't mentioned last night (!): Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE. Why this was surprising: http://bit.ly/31Wnuet

Final speaking times: Cory Booker Cory Anthony Booker3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility MORE talked more than any other candidate last night, followed by 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 and Elizabeth Warren. The full chart: http://bit.ly/2NesaZT

^Tidbit: FiveThirtyEight compiled a word count for the debate. Notably in fourth: NBC's Chuck Todd Charles (Chuck) David ToddMurkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Republican senator says plans to confirm justice before election 'completely consistent with the precedent' Sunday shows - Trump team defends coronavirus response MORE, who co-moderated the second half of the debate. Todd spoke just four fewer words than Elizabeth Warren in third. http://bit.ly/2NiGr81

Video of the debate: http://bit.ly/2Yb2y1b

Live blog of the debate: http://bit.ly/31VCbhT

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DEBATE:

The talk of the night: Lol, Cory Booker's facial expression when Beto O'Rourke started speaking Spanish. Photo: http://bit.ly/2Xb1Wfx

When Dad says "Hola, como estas?" to the waiter at the Mexican restaurant #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/64FY2LV6kp — The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) June 27, 2019

^Reactions from two candidates who will be on stage tomorrow: Andrew Yang Andrew YangDoctor who allegedly assaulted Evelyn Yang arrested on federal charges The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden weighs in on police shootings | Who's moderating the debates | Trump trails in post-convention polls Buttigieg launches his own podcast MORE tweeted , "My Spanish is terrible" and Marianne Williamson Marianne WilliamsonMarianne Williamson discusses speaking at People's Party Convention Fewer people watched opening night of Democratic convention compared to 2016 Marianne Williamson: Democratic convention 'like binge watching a Marriott commercial' MORE tweeted , " I need to learn Spanish by tomorrow night at 9."

This is your time to shine, Mayor Pete: "[Pete] Buttigieg needs to speak Norwegian tomorrow night." Tweet from CNN's Chris Cillizza: http://bit.ly/2YhoTdt Throwback to Buttigieg breaking into Norwegian: http://bit.ly/2NiSKkR

Getting traction -- I laughed:

The crowd loved this moment -- I have a plan for that: NBC's Chuck Todd asked Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.): "Do you have a plan to deal with Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline The Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power MORE?" Warren: "I do." Her plan: http://bit.ly/31V2Sn1

Watch -- Jay Inslee Jay Robert InsleeBarr asked prosecutors to explore charging Seattle mayor over protest zone: report Bottom line Oregon senator says Trump's blame on 'forest management' for wildfires is 'just a big and devastating lie' MORE was happy as a clam when climate change came up: He looks SO happy. Video: http://bit.ly/31S6ENT

Omg, I'm crying -- Jay Inslee is a meme now:

me when you mention the hotel's continental breakfast pic.twitter.com/NRx6cbk2zk — J.D. Durkin (@jiveDurkey) June 27, 2019

The drinking game of the night: Chad Livengood of Crain's Detroit Business tweeted, "At this point in the #DemDebate, I'm drinking every time @JohnDelaney tries to talk." http://bit.ly/31VI1jv

BEHIND THE SCENES:

Security didn't recognize John Hickenlooper John HickenlooperThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Cook Political Report shifts Colorado Senate race toward Democrat Willie Nelson playing at virtual fundraiser for Hickenlooper MORE :(

"Security person outside debate site just now: 'are you here to pick up press credentials?'

John Hickenlooper: '...I'm a candidate'" (Via NPR's Scott Detrow) http://bit.ly/2Yihr1Q

Live footage of 2020 candidates deciding who goes on stage first: http://bit.ly/31QXxgB ;)

OK, OK, here is ~actual~ footage of the candidates lining up backstage: http://bit.ly/31X7hpq

If you click one lighter tidbit -- Oh man, this is great: "Dem candidates as Airplane! cast members" Photos -- some of these are pretty funny: http://bit.ly/2Yosvut

Tidbit during the commercial break: "A Democrat in the room tells me that during the commercial break, Beto walked over and shook de Blasio's hand, after de Blasio interrupted him during the first heated exchange of the night." (Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley) http://bit.ly/2YhMDOw

On de Blasio repeatedly jumping in: Slate's Will Saletan tweeted, "My son is groaning at De Blasio's repeated interjections. 'New Yorkers, am I right?'" http://bit.ly/31XeO7G

Video of the crowd laughing during the technical difficulties: Time went by SO slowly during these moments. Watch: http://bit.ly/31YGSaL

Practical takeaway from the tech difficulties: "I hope you'll all watch these technical difficulties and finally understand why it's so important to mute your phone BEFORE joining the conference call" (Via IJR's Josh Billinson) http://bit.ly/31Xft9a

REACTIONS AND FROM THE SPIN ROOM:

Booker explained why he gave Beto that look: "I just knew he had laid a gauntlet down," Booker told CNN's Anderson Cooper. "And I was talking a little bit with Castro. Both he and I knew, as people who can speak Spanish, that now we were gonna bring it as well." http://bit.ly/2NedY3d

^ Overheard: "Booker in an aside to an aide about why he was giving Beto THAT look: 'He kind of butchered his Spanish in the beginning'" (Via The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jonathan Tamari) http://bit.ly/31SLUFQ

This is always an interesting measure of the evening: 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 has a big media crowd around him in the spin room. (Via The New York Times's Shane Goldmacher) Photo: http://bit.ly/31WJwOo

Julián Castro also got a lot of attention: Photo of Castro being interviewed in the spin room: http://bit.ly/31UvzjZ

^Twins!: "Imagine you had a solid debate night and you got to send a second identical surrogate to the spin room" Photo: http://bit.ly/31YKlX8

From former Sen. Claire McCaskill Claire Conner McCaskillMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Democratic-linked group runs ads in Kansas GOP Senate primary Trump mocked for low attendance at rally MORE (D-Mo.): "We saw some presidential candidates tonight that would make great candidates for Senate" http://bit.ly/31T0FZr

Observation from CNN's Eric Bradner: "I thought Beto O'Rourke was bad in his first [Texas Senate] debate against Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Cruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes MORE. His timing seemed off and he wasn't ready for the barrage he faced. In their second debate, he was much more assertive and aggressive. Can he make a similar leap by late July? He might have to." http://bit.ly/31YMxOm

Reaction to Booker/Castro's performances: "Booker & Castro both impressed a lot of folks I've spoken to but impressed them in a 'I'd like to see Elizabeth Warren consider him for VP' kind of way." (Via Vox's Matthew Yglesias) http://bit.ly/31XZ84j

Well played.

What Team Tulsi tweeted from her official account during the debate: "It's clear who MSNBC wants to be president: Elizabeth Warren. They're giving her more time than all the other candidates combined. They aren't giving any time to Tulsi at all. -V (Tulsi's sister)" http://bit.ly/31ZqqY6

Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Bernie Sanders: 'This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome MORE (who was not on stage!) used the first debate to fundraise: Sanders sent out a fundraising email, "Candidates are actually talking about raising taxes on the rich ... Make no mistake about it -- they are talking about these issues because we have led the way." http://bit.ly/31W1IYv

*Breaks into song* 'Why can't we be friends?!': MSNBC's Donny Deutsch got into a heated argument with MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell Lawrence O'DonnellMSNBC producer pens scathing exit letter: Ratings model 'blocks diversity of thought and content' MSNBC political analyst Karine Jean-Pierre joins Biden campaign Wallace says Biden gave 'skillful' answer on advice to voters on Reade MORE after Deutsch said he didn't "see anybody" on stage who could beat Donald Trump. Watch the back and forth -- this is pretty awkward: http://bit.ly/2NrwCVc

HAPPENING TONIGHT

That was fun. Let's do it again sometime.

Say, tonight?:

The other 10 qualifying Democratic presidential candidates are debating in Miami tonight.

Who is debating tonight, in order of the podiums:

Marianne Williamson

Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D)

Andrew Yang

South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The 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 MORE (D)

Former Vice President Joe Biden

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)

Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHundreds of lawyers from nation's oldest African American sorority join effort to fight voter suppression Biden picks up endorsement from progressive climate group 350 Action 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-Calif.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

How to watch: Same time, same place -- 9-11 p.m. EDT on NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo

Who is moderating: The same moderators from night one -- Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie, Chuck Todd, Rachel Maddow Rachel Anne MaddowGOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power Schiff urges Trump administration members to resign: 'You cannot maintain your silence' Michael Cohen: Trump hates Obama because he's everything he 'wants to be' MORE and José Diaz-Balart.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH TONIGHT:

1. How much incoming fire will Joe Biden face?

2. Will Bernie Sanders deliver?

3. Can Pete Buttigieg reset his campaign?

4. Can Kamala Harris reignite her campaign?

5. Will a low-polling candidate break through?

Context and details for each from The Hill’s Jonathan Easley: http://bit.ly/2NidY2g

IN CONGRESS

What would be an upcoming recess without a showdown first?:

Via The Hill's Cristina Marcos, "the partisan showdown over a $4.5 billion border aid package rumbled on Thursday morning, as Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Trump signs largely symbolic pre-existing conditions order amid lawsuit MORE (D-Calif.) and House Democrats planned a vote on an amended proposal providing explicit protections to migrant children in the face of opposition from the White House and Senate Republicans." http://bit.ly/2Nwz8tJ

The tight deadline: Lawmakers are leaving for a long July 4 recess at the end of the week.

The disagreement: "President Trump and Senate Republicans are urging immediate enactment of the Upper Chamber's bill -- passed Wednesday with overwhelming bipartisan support -- while House liberals are demanding additional language ensuring the administration uses the allotted money to safeguard the children and families crossing the border."

FROM TRUMP'S OSAKA, JAPAN, TRIP

Our allies are lucky to have us, IMHO:

Earlier today, President Trump had a working dinner with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and was asked by a member of the Australian media if his "America First" agenda had a negative effect on allies. http://bit.ly/2NhASH4

Trump's response: "I think I can say very easily that we've been very good to our allies. We work with our allies. We take care of our allies. Generally speaking, I've inherited massive trade deficits with our allies. And we even help our allies militarily."

IN OTHER NEWS

The future of health care:

The Hill published a series of articles looking at the future of health care. The special report: http://bit.ly/2YoUee8

Spotted in D.C.:

"Just saw a DC cop riding a scooter. What is happening." (Via The Huffington Post's Igor Bobic) http://bit.ly/2Ycgb02

NOTABLE TWEETS

Amazing:

This is how you send a reporter off into retirement. Congratulations and godspeed, @cclarkjedd! pic.twitter.com/u5PkuCR7bt — Tom Shoop (@tshoop) June 26, 2019

ON TAP

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

7 a.m. EDT: President Trump had dinner with the prime minister of Australia in Osaka, Japan.

Noon: Vice President Pence speaks at a closed press Great America Committee lunch in Washington, D.C.

Noon: Two roll call votes in the Senate. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/31R7DOx

1:45 p.m. EDT: Roll call votes in the Senate.

3 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence swears in the chairman of the National Credit Union Administration Rodney E. Hood.

4:30 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence speaks to National Intrepid Center of Excellence staff and patients at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

July 17: Former 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 will testify before the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees. http://bit.ly/2Llw8gS

WHAT TO WATCH

This morning: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) held her weekly news conference. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2NgkVkd

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Onion Day.