Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for May 4, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

The U.S.-Iran war is heating back up after both sides launched a series of attacks this morning that threaten to end a shaky four-week ceasefire.

• The United Arab Emirates blamed Iran for strikes on an oil facility this morning, while U.S. Central Command said it shot down Iranian missiles and destroyed at least six speedboats as part of Donald Trump’s plan to escort stranded boats out of the Strait of Hormuz. It’s unclear who fired additional strikes at a residential building in Oman near the UAE border.
• Trump wrote on Truth Social that with the exception of one South Korean cargo ship, “there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait.”

As a result, Brent crude jumped more than 6% today to a high of $115 a barrel.

The U.S. Secret Service responded to the scene of a law enforcement shooting near the White House at 15th Street and Independence Avenue. One person was struck when an officer opened fire, though their condition is unknown, a Secret Service spokesperson posted on X.

Rudy Giuliani remains in critical condition at a Florida hospital after a bout of pneumonia, his spokesperson said this morning. At one point Giuliani had to be placed on a ventilator, but as of today he was breathing on his own.

• Ted Goodman, the spokesperson, did not elaborate on the cause of Giuliani’s ailment.

THE ADMINISTRATION

More than a year after Trump took office, the White House is holding briefings for its staff to get them up to speed on how to handle congressional oversight. The lessons come in apparent preparation for the possibility that Democrats take control of Congress after this November’s midterms, The Washington Post reports.

• The White House, in a statement, said that the briefings were “nothing new.”

THE HILL

Trump called for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ impeachment for criticizing the recent Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act.

• “Where are you Republicans? Why not get it started? They’ll be doing this to me!” the president wrote on Truth Social.

THE COURTS

The Supreme Court this morning temporarily restored access to the abortion medication mifepristone through the mail, overriding a ruling out of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that said it could only be acquired in person through a pharmacy.

A federal judge halted the Trump administration’s plans to close East Potomac Golf Links, NOTUS’ Reese Gorman reports. District Judge Ana Reyes said the administration must get court approval before cutting down more than 10 trees and must provide proper notice if it plans to close the course.

THE STATES

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis formally approved his state’s new congressional map, which could net Republicans up to four more U.S. House seats in this year’s midterm election.

• “Signed, Sealed, and Delivered,” DeSantis wrote on X.

A NORMAL DAY AT DULLES

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.