Today’s Headlines and Commentary

The Senate acquitted President Trump of both articles of impeachment. The only Republican senator to vote to convict the President was Sen. Mitt Romeny, who voted to convict on the first article of impeachment, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Attorney General William Barr issued new restrictions Wednesday on the opening of politically sensitive investigations. Barr described the move as an effort meant to avoid influencing the 2020 presidential election, according to the New York Times.

FBI Director Chris Wray told the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday that Russia is engaged in “information warfare” heading into the 2020 presidential election, but noted that law enforcement has not seen ongoing efforts to target America’s election infrastructure, reports Associated Press.

The Department of Homeland Security temporarily barred New Yorkers from enrolling in Global Entry in response to state laws that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, according to the New York Times.

The Iraqi government has told its military not to seek assistance from the U.S.-led coalition in operations against the Islamic State, reports to the Washington Post.

Turkey sent reinforcements into northwestern Syria on Thursday, following a rare confrontation between Turkey and Syria in Idlib province on Monday. In Moscow, the Foreign Ministry announced that Russian soldiers have been killed in northern Syria in addition to Turkish servicemen, according to the Washington Post.

ICYMI: Yesterday on Lawfare

Elliot Setzer shared a livestream of the final vote in the Senate impeachment trial.

Gordon Ahl compiled the national security highlights in the 2020 State of the Union address.

Margaret Taylor shared episode twelve of The Report: Impeachment podcast, a one-hour 32 minute sampling of senators’ arguments for and against removing President Trump.

Elliot Setzer shared a livestream of the House Judiciary Committee’s hearing on oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Rachel Westrate analyzed how bushfires will affect Australia’s security.

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