Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for May 26, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

Republican redistricting efforts faced two setbacks today. A federal court blocked Alabama Republicans’ new map that would erase one of two majority-Black congressional districts — a decision the state immediately appealed to the Supreme Court.

• The three-judge panel — which included two Donald Trump appointees — said the redistricting plan aims “to dilute minority votes with a veneer of legislative regularity.”

South Carolina’s Senate again rejected a White House push to redistrict for an extra GOP seat, with 12 Republicans joining Democrats to vote down the measure. They voted to pick the issue up next session, resisting Trump’s intense pressure campaigns to implement a map that would get rid of Rep. Jim Clyburn’s seat this year.

• “Neither my conscience nor my common sense will allow me to stop an election underway,” said state Sen. Richard Cash, one of the chamber’s most conservative members.

The GOP did score two victories today. In Tennessee, a federal judge denied an attempt to block the state’s new nine-seat congressional map that has no Democratic representation.

A Florida circuit judge denied a challenge to the state’s Republican-friendly map, citing insufficient evidence of partisan intent.

• Judges in both cases cited potential voter instability ahead of the states’ August primaries as reasons for denying the orders.

An Iran war deal could take “a few more days,” Marco Rubio told reporters today. Iranian officials said last night’s strikes from the U.S. constituted a “clear violation of the ceasefire,” but are offering mixed messages on whether they’ll pursue retaliation or diplomacy as they aim to strike a deal.

• Trump will meet with his Cabinet tomorrow at Camp David. All members are expected to attend, including the outgoing director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.
• “Foreign policy updates” — among other things — are on the agenda.

THE ADMINISTRATION

The Trump administration is weighing a government-wide NDA for federal workers to curb leaks to the press — including after they’ve stopped working for the government.

DHS has directed ICE to more aggressively pursue administrative fraud cases against immigration lawyers accused of filing false asylum claims.

The U.S. will admit an additional 10,000 white South Africans as refugees, more than doubling the current limit. Trump’s announcement cited an “unforeseen emergency refugee situation.” The U.S. has admitted only three non-South African refugees this year.

THE HILL

The administration’s whiplash troop shifts in Europe sparked bipartisan scrutiny in the House Armed Services defense bill, NOTUS’ Joe Gould reports. The proposal re-ups guardrails on withdrawals while adding requirements tied to any future troop movements — with tougher funding restrictions expected as both chambers hammer out the bill.

THE COURTS

The Supreme Court today sided with the Trump administration in a free-speech challenge over a policy from the president’s first term that restricted what federal judges can publicly say about immigration. The unsigned ruling sent the case back to a lower court.

HOLY WAR

Thank you for reading! Today’s newsletter was produced by Kelly Poe and Andrew Burton. If you liked it, please forward it to a friend. If someone shared it with you, please subscribe — it’s free! Got a tip or comments to share? Email us at finalnotus@notus.com.