Today’s Headlines and Commentary

President Trump will deliver his annual State of the Union address at 9 p.m. EST tonight. White House officials said the theme of the speech will be “the great American comeback,” and will tout Trump’s record on the economy, increased military spending and the appointment of conservative judges, reports The New York Times.

House managers and the president’s defense team delivered closing arguments Monday in the Senate impeachment trial. During the day on Tuesday, senators will take turns giving speeches in support of either the conviction or acquittal of the President, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The head of the antitrust division at the Department of Justice recused himself from investigating Google because of a potential conflict of interest related to his past work for the company, reports The New York Times.

The Department of Justice has released 300 pages of notes from major witness interviews in former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian electoral interference, including memos from Jared Kushner, Reince Priebus and Steve Bannon, according to Buzzfeed.

Iran has ceased cooperation with Ukraine in the investigation into the Jan. 8 downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet after a Ukrainian media outlet published an audio recording that showed that Iranian authorities knew immediately that they had struck the plane, reports The Washington Post.

Representatives of Libya’s warring sides will officially begin cease-fire talks today in a U.N.-sponsored joint military commission, according to Associated Press.

ICYMI: Yesterday on Lawfare

Ben Wittes criticized the Senate’s refusal to call witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Trump.

William Ford described a House Armed Services Committee hearing on U.S. defense policy in the Korean peninsula.

Elliot Setzer shared a livestream of the 11th day of the Senate impeachment trial.

Mara Karlin drew three key insights for U.S. policy in light of recent escalation with Iran.

Email the Roundup Team noteworthy law and security-related articles to include, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for additional commentary on these issues. Sign up to receive Lawfare in your inbox. Visit our Events Calendar to learn about upcoming national security events, and check out relevant job openings on our Job Board.