Today's Headlines and Commentary

Fiona Hill and David Holmes are testifying Thursday in the impeachment inquiry, which Lawfare is livestreaming here. Hill opened her testimony by describing claims of Ukrainian interference in the 2016 election as a “fictional narrative that has been perpetrated and propagated by the Russian security services,” reports the Washington Post.

Laura Cooper testified Wednesday evening that her staff received a message on July 25—the same day as the Trump-Zelensky call—from the Ukrainians about the status of military aid from the U.S., reports the Post.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted on charges related to bribery and fraud, reports the New York Times. The news comes after his rival Benny Gantz announced he was unable to form a coalition government on Wednesday.

The 14 other U.N. Security Council members rebuked the Trump administration’s announcement that it was no longer considering some Israeli settlements as violations of international law, reports the Post.

President Trump appeared to reverse a decision by the Navy to remove Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher from the SEAL commando force, according to the Times. Gallagher was granted clemency by the president on Friday for alleged war crimes committed during his deployment in Iraq.

In Iran, six environmentalists were sentenced to prison on charges of collaborating with an “enemy state,” namely the United States, according to the Post.

ICYMI: Yesterday on Lawfare

Elena Kagan shared a “No Bull” episode of The Lawfare Podcast, which includes all the substantive exchanges from Wednesday’s impeachment hearing with Amb. Gordon Sondland. She also shared another “No Bull” episode of the podcast for the evening hearing with Laura Cooper and David Hale.

Benjamin Wittes commented on an exchange between Chairman Adam Schiff and Amb. Sondland that mirrors the language of the federal bribery statute.

Elena Hodges discussed the emergence of widespread popular protests in Lebanon.

Gordon Ahl posted the opening statements from Amb. Sondland as well as Chairman Schiff and Rep. Devin Nunes.

Ahl also livestreamed both of Wednesday’s impeachment hearings.

Lucia Radder summarized the deposition testimony of David Holmes.

Samantha Fry summarized the deposition testimony of Amb. David Hale.

Jacob Schulz summarized the deposition testimony of Jennifer Williams.

Stewart Baker shared the latest episode of the Cyberlaw Podcast, which features a discussion with Klon Kitchen on mistrusting Google.