May 7

Election deadline: Indiana Primary Election 2028

Voting for Indiana Primary Election 2028 occurs on this date. Offices on ballot: U.S. House (9 seats); Governor; State Legislature; President. See the linked election record for registration, early voting, and mail ballot deadlines.

Senate Democrats request GAO investigation into Trump education grant impoundments

Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Patty Murray, and Tammy Baldwin formally requested that the Government Accountability Office investigate the Trump administration's withholding of education grants and its interagency transfer of grant programs from the Department of Education to agencies without education expertise. House Budget Committee Ranking Member Brendan Boyle and Senator Jeff Merkley separately asked the GAO to investigate the broader pattern of funding freezes across federal agencies for potential violations of the Impoundment Control Act. The GAO had already opened 46 impoundment investigations across the administration and had previously concluded Trump illegally impounded funds on at least four separate occasions in 2026.

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FEMA Review Council releases final report recommending 50/50 cost share and state devolution

The FEMA Review Council released its final report on May 7, 2026, recommending the most significant restructuring of federal disaster assistance since 1979. Key proposals included raising the per capita indicator threshold for disaster declarations, changing the federal-state cost share from 75/25 to 50/50 for states that do not meet preparedness criteria, replacing damage assessments with parametric funding triggers, and privatizing the National Flood Insurance Program. The council stated a preference for congressional legislation over executive action.

Divided Eleventh Circuit rules against mandatory detention without bond hearings

A divided panel of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on May 7, 2026, that federal immigration law does not require mandatory detention without bond hearings for people arrested in the interior of the United States who entered without authorization. The ruling in Alvarez v. Warden, Federal Detention Center Miami deepened the circuit split by aligning with the Second Circuit against the Fifth and Eighth Circuits, covering detention facilities in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

Trump sets July 4 deadline for EU trade deal as US-UK framework pressures bloc

Following the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal and a phone call between President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on May 7, 2026, Trump set a July 4, 2026 deadline for the European Union to implement a competing trade agreement or face significantly higher tariffs. Trump accused the EU of failing to comply with the terms of an earlier deal negotiated at Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland in July 2025, and threatened to raise tariffs on EU cars and trucks to 25%. Von der Leyen acknowledged the deadline and expressed confidence that the EU Parliament would pass implementing legislation before July 4.

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Tennessee Legislature passes map splitting Memphis into three GOP districts; NAACP calls it industrial-scale voter dilution

The Tennessee Legislature passes a new congressional map on May 7, 2026, splitting Memphis and its majority-Black population among three Republican-leaning congressional districts, eliminating Rep. Steve Cohen's 9th Congressional District. The bill, HB7001, also repeals a 2010 state law that banned mid-decade redistricting. Speaker Cameron Sexton argues the Callais ruling means "redistricting should be color-blind." Dozens of protesters interrupt Senate and House committee hearings, chanting "Hands off our vote" and singing "We Shall Overcome," with state troopers removing demonstrators on multiple occasions. Brennan Center vice president Kareem Crayton testifies that splitting Memphis across three districts means "no single representative would have an incentive to show attention to the issues and concerns of people who live there." The NAACP calls the map "Black vote dilution at an industrial scale."

Trump threatens July 4 deadline for EU trade deal or higher tariffs

Trump said that the European Union had until July 4 to fulfill a trade deal or face higher tariffs. The post used a deadline and tariff threat to force implementation, continuing the administration's approach of using tariff policy as leverage in diplomacy.

EPA scientific output collapse confirmed at 82 percent below pre-reorganization levels

By May 2026, the elimination of EPA's Office of Research and Development had produced a documented 82 percent reduction in the agency's scientific publication rate compared to pre-2025 levels. Peer-reviewed papers, toxicity assessments, Integrated Science Assessments supporting air quality standards, and chemical risk assessments were all on pace to fall below the minimum levels needed to support legally defensible rulemaking. Legal scholars warned that courts applying the Administrative Procedure Act require a robust scientific record to uphold agency rules, and that the depleted ORD successor office could not produce that record.

Trump says U.S. Navy inflicted great damage on Iranian attackers near Hormuz

Trump posted that great damage had been done to Iranian attackers after U.S. Navy destroyers came under threat near the Strait of Hormuz. The statement escalated public war messaging and highlighted the risk that maritime clashes could widen the Iran conflict.

Tennessee Special Session: Lee signs map cracking Memphis into three GOP districts

Gov. Bill Lee signed HB 7002 and HB 7003 on May 7, 2026, redrawing Tennessee's nine congressional districts eight days after the Supreme Court's Callais ruling. The Tennessee House passed the bills 64-25 and the Senate passed them 25-5 in a one-day session called at President Trump's request. The new map splits Memphis — represented since 2007 by Rep. Steve Cohen — across three Republican-favoring districts and eliminates Tennessee's only Black-majority congressional seat. Speaker Cameron Sexton and Sen. Marsha Blackburn had both publicly urged the redistricting as a federal partisan priority.

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Judge rules DOGE cancellation of NEH grants unconstitutional

U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon ruled on May 7, 2026, that DOGE-directed cancellations of more than 1,400 National Endowment for the Humanities grants were "unlawful, unconstitutional, ultra vires, and without legal effect," finding violations of the First Amendment, the Fifth Amendment's equal protection clause, and the NEH's statutory authority. Discovery revealed DOGE used ChatGPT to flag grants containing words like "history," "culture," and "identity" as DEI violations. The judge ordered grant termination letters rescinded but did not immediately require payment of funds.

Court of International Trade strikes down Trump Section 122 tariffs 2-1

A three-judge Court of International Trade panel ruled 2-1 that Trump's 10% global tariff under Section 122 exceeded presidential authority. Chief Judge Mark A. Barnett and Judge Claire R. Kelly held that a goods trade deficit does not constitute a balance-of-payments deficit under the statute; accepting the administration's reading would grant unlimited tariff power. Judge Timothy C. Stanceu dissented, arguing Congress intended broad presidential discretion. The court issued a permanent injunction for the named plaintiffs and the State of Washington only, declining nationwide relief.

SPLC pleads not guilty at arraignment; trial set for October 2026

SPLC Interim CEO Bryan Fair entered not guilty pleas on all 11 federal counts at the arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kelly F. Pate on May 7, 2026. Judge Pate set a tentative trial date of October 5, 2026. The SPLC maintained the informant program was a legitimate civil society intelligence operation that had provided law enforcement with actionable information to prevent extremist violence. Legal analysts at Just Security argued the indictment represented a novel use of fraud statutes against a nonprofit's investigative methodology.

Federal judge issues TRO halting Tennessee redistricting map

A federal judge in the Western District of Tennessee issued a temporary restraining order on May 7, 2026 — the same day Gov. Lee signed HB 7003 — halting the new congressional map pending a full hearing. Rep. Steve Cohen, State Rep. Justin Pearson, and NAACP Tennessee President Gloria Sweet-Love filed as co-plaintiffs, arguing the map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by cracking Memphis's Black community across three districts where Black voters form a minority in each. The NAACP also filed a separate state court petition arguing the session exceeded the governor's proclamation.

USCIS and USPS file court declarations saying mail voting EO is impossible to implement

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Postal Service filed court declarations on May 7, 2026, stating they lacked the statutory authority to comply with the March 31, 2026 executive order on mail voting. USCIS reported it could not share personal citizenship data for voter verification without congressional authorization. USPS stated it had no legal basis to refuse mail ballot delivery based on federal eligibility lists.

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Trump FEMA council recommends shifting disaster costs to states

The FEMA Review Council released its final report on May 7, 2026, recommending major changes to federal disaster assistance. Proposals included raising disaster declaration thresholds, changing some federal-state cost shares from 75/25 to 50/50, using parametric funding triggers and pushing more responsibility to states. The report marked a major policy move in Trump’s second term toward devolving disaster costs and narrowing federal responsibility.

South Carolina House passes the H.5683 redistricting bill 74-37

The South Carolina House of Representatives passed H.5683, a redistricting bill that would redraw multiple state legislative and congressional district boundaries, by a 74-37 vote on May 7, 2026. Republican leadership framed the bill as a necessary update following SCOTUS Callais ruling, which narrowed the VRA Gingles framework. All 37 opposing votes came from Democrats and a handful of Republicans who argued the rushed process violated transparency norms.

REAL ID enforcement begins — all domestic air travelers must present compliant ID or a passport at TSA checkpoints

After 20 years of delays since Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 following the 9/11 attacks, TSA begins enforcing the law on May 7, 2025. All domestic air travelers 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant state driver's license (marked with a gold or black star), a passport, or another TSA-accepted document to board commercial aircraft or enter secure federal facilities. As of the enforcement date, 81% of passengers already present REAL ID-compliant or otherwise acceptable forms of identification. TSA allows phased enforcement with additional screening for non-compliant travelers rather than denying boarding outright. The law also applies to access to military bases and federal buildings such as courthouses.

EPA administrator Zeldin freezes $23.3 billion in IRA climate grants

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin froze $23.3 billion in Inflation Reduction Act grants, halting clean energy and environmental programs funded by Congress. The freeze targeted grants for greenhouse gas reduction, environmental justice, and clean air initiatives, drawing legal challenges from states and nonprofits.

Trump signs retaliatory executive order against Susman Godfrey law firm

Trump signed an EO against Susman Godfrey, which won a $787.5M settlement from Fox News on behalf of Dominion Voting Systems in the 2020 election defamation case. A court issued a TRO blocking implementation. The order marked the fifth law firm targeted by Trump retaliatory EOs in 2025 and drew immediate legal challenges.

Bondi claims the FBI holds tens of thousands of Epstein videos

Attorney General Pam Bondi told reporters the FBI possesses tens of thousands of videos linked to Jeffrey Epstein, escalating pressure on the Justice Department to release the Epstein files. The claim came amid bipartisan congressional demands for full disclosure of materials related to Epstein's sex-trafficking network.

Israel controls Rafah crossing

Israel controls Rafah crossing..

Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack halts fuel to the East Coast

The DarkSide ransomware group, operating from Russia, encrypted Colonial Pipeline's business systems, prompting the company to shut down the 5,500-mile pipeline that carries about 45 percent of East Coast fuel. CEO Joseph Blount authorized a $4.4 million ransom payment in bitcoin within hours. President Biden declared a regional emergency on May 9 and the pipeline resumed operations May 12. The attack accelerated federal pipeline cybersecurity rules and elevated CISA's critical-infrastructure mission.

Sessions announces zero tolerance policy, separating 2,816 migrant children from parents

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announces the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy on May 7, 2018, mandating criminal prosecution of all adults crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, including asylum seekers. Because children cannot be held in federal criminal detention, the policy results in the systematic separation of children — including infants and toddlers — from their parents. In briefings to federal prosecutors, Sessions states: "We need to take away children." Senior adviser Stephen Miller, the architect of the policy, tells a White House meeting: "If we don't enforce this, it is the end of our country as we know it." In the six weeks before a federal court orders a halt, DHS separates 2,816 children from their parents. Hundreds of children are transported to shelters thousands of miles from the border; some are placed in foster care. The DHS Inspector General later finds the department is entirely unprepared to reunite separated families and that parents are deported without their children. As of 2023, hundreds of children remain unaccompanied, still separated from parents who cannot be located. The policy disproportionately affects Central American and Mexican families.

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