This Morning's Political News: 4‑Minute Read
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Friday, May 8, 2026 · 8:00 a.m. ET
Federal Level
Trade Court Strikes Down Trump’s Global Tariffs Again
A divided three-judge panel of the Court of International Trade ruled 2-1 on Thursday that President Trump’s 10% global tariffs, imposed after the Supreme Court struck down earlier levies in February, are “invalid and unauthorized by law.” The court found Trump misapplied Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which was designed to address currency imbalances, not trade deficits. The administration is expected to appeal, first to the Federal Circuit and potentially to the Supreme Court. 1, 2, 3
US and Iran Trade Fire but Keep Ceasefire Alive
The United States and Iran exchanged gunfire near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, yet both sides confirmed the ceasefire remains in effect. Separately, Reuters and the New York Times reported that negotiators are moving toward a three-page memorandum of understanding that would formally end hostilities and launch 60 days of follow-on talks covering Iran’s nuclear program and Hormuz shipping rights. Iran’s foreign ministry said it had not yet reached a final decision on the framework. 4, 5, 6
Rubio Meets Pope Leo, Pledges Renewed US-Vatican Ties
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met privately with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday, seeking to repair the rift that followed President Trump’s public criticism of the American-born pontiff over his anti-war stance. A Vatican statement said both men “renewed the shared commitment” to strong bilateral relations and discussed the need to “work tirelessly for peace.” Rubio, a devout Catholic, posted photos of the meeting on X, calling it a productive exchange. 7, 8, 9
Trump Signs New Counterterrorism Strategy Targeting Cartels
President Trump’s administration publicly unveiled on Thursday a new 16-page national counterterrorism strategy signed Wednesday that expands the definition of terrorism to include drug cartels and what the White House describes as anti-American far-left groups such as Antifa. White House counterterrorism director Sebastian Gorka said the strategy marks a significant departure from prior administrations, which focused primarily on jihadist threats. Civil liberties advocates raised immediate concerns about the targeting of domestic political movements. 10, 11
$72B Immigration Bill Heads to Senate Floor Next Week
The Senate held only a brief pro forma session Thursday, with no votes conducted, as both chambers race to finalize a $72 billion budget reconciliation package funding ICE and Customs and Border Protection through 2029. Senate committees must submit final bill text by May 15, with a full floor vote expected the week of May 11. The package also contains $1 billion in Secret Service security upgrades tied to President Trump’s White House East Wing renovation, a provision Democrats have vowed to challenge. 12, 13
State Level
Tennessee Votes to Carve Up Memphis, Eliminate Blue Seat
Tennessee’s Republican-controlled House and Senate voted Thursday to approve a new congressional map that splits majority-Black Shelby County into three Republican-leaning districts, effectively eliminating the Memphis-based 9th Congressional District, the state’s only Democratic-held House seat. The vote passed the House 64-25. Governor Bill Lee is expected to sign the bill. Protesters filled the Capitol rotunda immediately following the vote. Legal challenges are considered certain. 14, 15, 16
California Governor Race Heats Up in Final Debate
Seven candidates vying to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom faced off Wednesday evening in their final televised debate before California’s June 2 primary. Democrats and Republicans clashed sharply over immigration, housing affordability, and a proposed one-time tax on the state’s billionaires to address a healthcare funding crisis. Republican Steve Hilton, who carries President Trump’s endorsement, leads all candidates with 16% in polling, followed closely by Democrat Tom Steyer at 15%, reflecting deep voter uncertainty heading into the primary. 17, 18
Mississippi Governor Eyes Congressional Redistricting Push
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, who had already called a special redistricting session targeting judicial maps, is now facing pressure from the White House to extend that session to include congressional districts, which would put Representative Bennie Thompson’s majority-Black seat at risk. Logistical hurdles are significant, as the state already completed its congressional primaries in March, meaning any new map would require those races to be re-run. Legal challenges would almost certainly follow any such move. 19, 20
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Article Sources
1. Seattle Times / AP, May 7, 2026, https://www.seattletimes com/business/federal-court-rules-against-new-global-tariffs-trump-imposed-after-loss-at-the-supreme-court
2. Washington Times, May 7, 2026, https://www.washingtontimes com/news/2026/may/7/trade-court-strikes-trumps-second-attempt-global-tariffs/
3. VPM / NPR, May 7, 2026, https://www.vpm org/npr-news/npr-news/2026-05-07/trade-court-strikes-down-a-second-round-of-trump-tariffs
4. Reuters, May 7, 2026, https://www.reuters com/world/china/trump-sees-swift-end-war-iran-reviews-us-peace-proposal-2026-05-07/
5. Al-Ahram / NYT, May 7, 2026, https://english.ahram org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/566181/World/Region/US-and-Iran-finalizing-MoU-for-a-broad-and-lasting.aspx
6. PBS NewsHour, May 7, 2026, https://www.pbs org/video/may-7-2026-pbs-news-hour-full-episode-1778126418/
7. NAMPA / AFP, May 7, 2026, https://www.nampa org/text/22923298
8. The Star (Reuters), May 7, 2026, https://www.thestar com.my/news/world/2026/05/07/pope-leo-rubio-renewed-commitment-to-good-bilateral-relations-says-vatican
9. Aleteia, May 7, 2026, https://aleteia org/2026/05/07/pope-leo-meets-with-marco-rubio-at-vatican/
10. Reuters, May 6, 2026, https://www.reuters com/world/us/trump-signs-new-counter-terrorism-strategy-that-focuses-hemispheric-threats-2026-05-06/
11. Time, May 6, 2026, https://time com/article/2026/05/06/trump-new-counterterrorism-strategy/
12. U.S. Senate Daily Press, May 7, 2026, https://www.dailypress.senate.gov/2026/05/07/
13. Ballotpedia, May 7, 2026, https://news.ballotpedia org/2026/05/07/senate-committees-release-72-billion-budget-reconciliation-spending-package/
14. Epoch Times, May 7, 2026, https://www.theepochtimes com/us/tennessee-house-passes-redistricting-bill-to-carve-up-states-lone-blue-district-6022580
15. ABC6 / WZTV, May 7, 2026, https://abc6onyourside com/news/nation-world/day-3-special-session-tennessee-congressional-map-redistricting-memphis-politics
16. Daily Kos, May 7, 2026, https://www.dailykos com/stories/2026/5/7/800035140/community/election-news-digest-may-7/
17. USA Today, May 5, 2026, https://www.usatoday com/story/news/california/2026/05/05/california-governor-debate-tonight-cnn-results/89951835007/
18. New York Times, May 6, 2026, https://www.nytimes com/live/2026/05/06/us/california-governor-debate
19. Magnolia Tribune, May 5, 2026, https://mississippitoday org/2026/05/02/congressional-districts-mississippi-trump/
20. Washington Examiner, May 7, 2026, https://www.washingtonexaminer com/section/news/campaigns/state/