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Contact your Representative and Senators. Ask: 'Will you call for an Inspector General investigation into FBI weaponization against journalists reporting on Director Patel?' Support Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and Freedom of the Press Foundation.

The FBI launched an 'insider threat' criminal leak investigation out of Huntsville, Alabama targeting Atlantic journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick, who authored an April 17 article documenting Director Kash Patel's alleged excessive drinking based on more than two dozen anonymous sources. Such investigations typically pursue leaks of classified information, not behavioral reporting, making the move unprecedented. The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg called it 'an outrageous, illegal, and dangerous attack on the free press and the First Amendment.' Patel separately filed a $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic.

Contact your Senators and Representatives on the Armed Services Committees. Ask: 'Will you compel sworn Pentagon testimony on actual damage to US bases from Iran strikes and discrepancy with public statements?' Support Project On Government Oversight (POGO).

A Washington Post investigation published May 7 verified 128 high-resolution satellite images showing Iran damaged or destroyed at least 228 structures or pieces of equipment at US military sites across the Middle East since the war began — nearly triple Pentagon estimates. Damaged facilities include hangars, barracks, fuel depots, aircraft, radar, communications, and air defense equipment. The findings indicate ongoing Pentagon concealment of war damage from the public and Congress while the administration continues unauthorized hostilities and seeks additional war funding.

Contact your Representative and Senators. Ask: 'Will you require DOGE to disclose all AI tools used to make federal funding decisions and prohibit keyword-based grant terminations?' Support National Humanities Alliance and Public Citizen.

US District Judge Colleen McMahon released a 143-page opinion May 7 finding DOGE's mass termination of National Endowment for the Humanities grants unconstitutional and unauthorized. DOGE staffers admitted using ChatGPT and keyword filters including 'DEI,' 'DEIA,' 'Equity,' 'Inclusion,' 'BIPOC,' and 'LGBTQ' to identify $100 million in cuts. The judge wrote that 'treating Black civil-rights history, Jewish testimony about the Holocaust, the Asian American experience, the treatment of children of Native tribes, or the mention of a woman as a marker of lack of merit or wastefulness is not lawful.'

Contact your Senators on the Judiciary Committee. Ask: 'Will you demand DOJ withdraw its Westfall Act intervention to make taxpayers pay Trump's personal defamation judgment?' Support Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).

The Justice Department, led by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced May 7 it will ask the Supreme Court to let it intervene in Trump's appeal of the $83.3 million Carroll defamation verdict. DOJ seeks to substitute the United States as defendant under the Westfall Act, claiming Trump's 2019 denials of Carroll's sexual assault allegations were within the scope of his employment as president. If granted, taxpayers would absorb Trump's personal legal liability for defamation related to alleged sexual abuse.

Contact your representative. Ask: 'What evidence has been provided to Congress that the 191 people killed in Operation Southern Spear were actually drug traffickers?' Demand congressional hearings on the legal authority for these strikes.

U.S. Southern Command struck an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific on May 5, killing three people, the second strike in two days. SOUTHCOM released only a 27-second video and claimed the vessel was on 'known narcotrafficking routes' but provided no public evidence of drug cargo. Legal experts and bipartisan members of Congress have called the strikes illegal extrajudicial killings, as military forces cannot deliberately target civilians who do not pose an imminent threat. The campaign has killed at least 191 people since September 2025.

Contact your senators and representative. Ask: 'Why has Congress not voted on authorization for military operations against Iran, now including direct attacks on civilian vessels?' Support the bipartisan War Powers caucus.

A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS Abraham Lincoln fired multiple 20mm cannon rounds at the Iranian-flagged tanker M/T Hasna in the Gulf of Oman on May 6, disabling its steering mechanism. This is the first known use of aircraft to directly attack a vessel during the unauthorized blockade of Iranian ports, which began April 13. The naval blockade is now in its 10th week without congressional authorization under the War Powers Act. The blockade has redirected 52 vessels to date.

Contact your senators. Ask: 'Will you demand a vote on war authorization before any renewed bombing campaign against Iran?' Support Senators Kaine and Paul's war powers legislation.

President Trump posted on Truth Social that if Iran does not agree to a proposed one-page memorandum of understanding, 'the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.' The ultimatum came as Iran reviewed a U.S. proposal involving a nuclear enrichment moratorium and sanctions relief. Trump continues to claim the War Powers Act is 'totally unconstitutional' and has not sought congressional authorization for any escalation.

Contact your federal representatives. Ask: 'What consequences will DHS face for repeatedly deporting individuals in defiance of court orders?' Support the ACLU and National Immigrant Justice Center's efforts to enforce court compliance.

A Second Circuit Court of Appeals panel granted Jordin Melgar-Salmeron permission to remain in the U.S. on May 7, but ICE placed him on a deportation flight just 28 minutes later. The government claims 'a confluence of administrative errors' but judges noted ICE had previously assured the court it would wait until May 9. Melgar-Salmeron is now held in El Salvador's Izalco prison, where Human Rights Watch has documented conditions amounting to torture. His attorneys plan to seek criminal contempt charges against the administration.

Contact your representative. Ask: 'Why is ICE contracting with a firm accused of child torture to track vulnerable children?' Support the National Center for Youth Law and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND).

The Guardian revealed ICE hired MVM Inc. to deploy 'boots on the ground' to locate unaccompanied migrant children for purported 'safety and wellness checks,' though internal documents show the operations aim to deport or prosecute the children. MVM was sued in 2024 by Guatemalan families alleging torture, forced disappearances, and cruel treatment during the first Trump administration's family separations. The National Center for Youth Law stated MVM has 'harmed children in federal immigration custody in egregious ways for many years.'

Contact Tennessee state legislators. Ask: 'Why is the legislature eliminating Memphis's Black-majority representation?' Support the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Brennan Center challenges to racially targeted redistricting.

Tennessee Republican legislative leaders unveiled a proposed congressional map during a special session that would split the majority-Black 9th District centered in Memphis into three Republican-leaning districts, eliminating the state's only Democratic seat held by Rep. Steve Cohen. The Memphis metro area of over 1 million people would be divided across three districts. The legislature also seeks to change state law to allow redistricting more frequently than once per decade. Floor votes in both chambers were expected Thursday, May 7.

Contact your Senators and Representative. Ask: 'The Iran war is now past the 60-day War Powers deadline with no authorization vote. Will you support the Iran War Funding Prohibition bill and demand an AUMF vote?' Support veterans' organizations calling for congressional authorization.

Trump announced May 5 he is pausing the U.S. effort to guide stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining the naval blockade of Iranian ports in place since April 13. The war is now in its 10th week without congressional authorization, past the 60-day War Powers Act deadline. The blockade continues affecting 23,000 sailors from 87 countries. House Democrats introduced the Iran War Funding Prohibition bill the same day, noting the war has cost $25 billion and killed 13 U.S. service members. The Pentagon's FY27 budget includes a reported $200 billion Iran War supplemental request.

Contact your Senators and Representative. Ask: 'Will you demand the DOJ explain the legal basis for subpoenaing personal data of election workers for crimes whose statute of limitations has expired?' Support the Election Worker Protection Act and organizations like the Election Officials Defense Fund.

The DOJ served a grand jury subpoena on April 20 demanding names, home addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of thousands of Fulton County 2020 election workers, from county employees to volunteer poll workers. Fulton County filed a motion to quash on May 5, arguing the subpoena is 'grossly overbroad,' that the federal statute of limitations on 2020 election crimes has expired, and that the action is designed to 'target, harass and punish the President's perceived political opponents.' County officials note election workers already face threats and are leaving their jobs in unprecedented numbers.

Contact your Senators. Ask: 'Will you demand an investigation into the 37% increase in use of force against immigration detainees, including against those requesting food and medical care?' Support the ACLU National Prison Project and immigrant detention oversight organizations.

Internal ICE 'Daily Detainee Assault Reports' obtained by the Washington Post show detention staff used force including punches, kicks, tasers, pepper spray, and restraint chairs on detainees at least 780 times during Trump's first year back in office, a 37% increase over the prior year. The number of detainees subjected to force climbed to 1,330 (54% increase). At least 106 detainees suffered documented injuries including broken arms, head trauma, and seizures. Reports show force was used against groups demanding adequate water, food, and medical care across 98 facilities.

Contact your Representative and Senators. Ask: 'Did Congress authorize $2 billion in bounty-style payments to local police for immigration arrests?' Contact your local sheriff or police chief to ask whether they participate in 287(g). Support the ACLU's challenge to these incentive programs.

An NPR/FWD.us investigation reveals DHS is offering local law enforcement agencies $100,000 for vehicles, salary reimbursement, and performance bonuses tied to immigrant apprehensions under the 287(g) program. Participation has surged from 135 to over 1,700 agencies. The ACLU notes this 'financial incentive scheme' is unprecedented and Congress never intended it. The DOJ previously found participating agencies engaged in racial profiling, and a similar program component was discontinued in 2012 for that reason. Florida and Texas have mandated sheriff participation and added state grants.

Contact your Senators. Ask: 'Will you investigate DHS publishing false press releases that endanger federal judges?' Support judicial independence organizations and demand accountability for government disinformation targeting the judiciary.

DHS published a press release headlined 'Activist Biden Judge Releases Violent Criminal Illegal Alien Wanted for Murder' targeting U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose. The DOJ's own attorney admitted in court the allegation was false -- ICE itself had failed to inform the court about the murder warrant. Judge DuBose said the release endangered her personal safety and remained on the government website despite being disproven. She is weighing contempt sanctions against DHS and DOJ officials for misconduct.

Contact your Representative and Senators. Ask: 'How can the President claim hostilities terminated while US forces are actively sinking enemy boats? Will you enforce the War Powers Resolution?' Support the Congressional lawsuit effort.

On May 4, US forces engaged in direct combat with Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz, sinking 6 small boats while intercepting missiles and drones targeting Navy and commercial vessels. Trump and CENTCOM commander Admiral Cooper both refused to confirm whether the ceasefire remains in effect, despite Trump's May 1 letter to Congress claiming hostilities had 'terminated.' This active combat occurs past the 60-day War Powers deadline with no congressional authorization.

Contact your Senators immediately. Ask: 'Will you vote to invoke the War Powers Resolution and halt unauthorized military escalation against Iran?' Demand a floor vote on war authorization.

On May 5, Trump threatened that Iranian forces would be 'blown off the face of the earth' if they target US ships, while simultaneously reviewing military options to resume full-scale war. Senior officials stated the US is 'closer to the resumption of major combat operations than 24 hours ago.' Trump rejected Iran's 14-point peace proposal and said he doesn't want to extend the ceasefire, all while operating past the War Powers 60-day deadline without congressional approval.

Contact your Senators. Ask: 'Will you support legislation to restore Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act?' Support the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Democracy Docket's challenges to rushed redistricting.

On May 4, the Supreme Court granted an emergency request to immediately finalize its Louisiana v. Callais decision, bypassing the standard 32-day waiting period. Justice Jackson dissented, warning the court was taking sides in redistricting with a 'strong political undercurrent.' The expedited ruling enables Louisiana to redraw its map from 4-2 GOP to 5-1 GOP before the 2026 midterms, with the state suspending its May 16 primary to accommodate the rushed gerrymander.

Contact Florida state legislators. Ask: 'Why did you vote to violate Florida's Fair Districts Amendment?' Support Equal Ground Florida's lawsuit challenging the map.

On May 4, Governor DeSantis signed HB 1D into law, a congressional redistricting map that increases GOP-leaning districts from 20 to 24 out of 28 total seats. The map targets Democratic seats near Orlando, Tampa Bay, and South Florida. It was passed within hours of the Supreme Court gutting the Voting Rights Act. A lawsuit was filed within 90 minutes alleging violation of Florida's Fair Districts Amendment banning partisan gerrymandering.

Contact your senators and representative. Ask: 'Will you vote to enforce the War Powers Resolution and require congressional authorization before Project Freedom triggers renewed combat with Iran?' Support the Brennan Center and Win Without War's war powers accountability campaigns.

On May 3, Trump announced 'Project Freedom,' deploying guided-missile destroyers, over 100 aircraft, unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz starting May 4. Iran's military commander warned any foreign armed force entering the strait 'will be targeted and attacked,' and Iran's parliament declared the operation a ceasefire violation. The operation was launched after the 60-day War Powers Resolution deadline passed on May 1, with the administration claiming hostilities had 'terminated' despite maintaining an active naval blockade. Two ships near the strait reported attacks on May 3-4, and a bulk carrier was attacked by small craft near Sirik.

Contact your senators. Ask: 'Will you enforce the 2026 defense bill provision requiring congressional approval before European troop levels drop below 76,000?' Support the Atlantic Council and bipartisan NATO caucus efforts to maintain alliance commitments.

Trump announced May 2-3 that US troop withdrawals from Germany would go 'a lot further' than the initial 5,000, with Spain and Italy also threatened. European sources told Euronews there is 'no strategy' behind the withdrawals. Republican leaders of both Armed Services committees warned the cuts 'run counter to the intent of the law' passed in the 2026 defense bill, which restricts the Pentagon from cutting European troop levels below 76,000 without congressional approval. The withdrawals are retaliatory after German Chancellor Merz criticized the unauthorized Iran war, weakening NATO deterrence during an active conflict while potentially defying congressionally mandated troop floors.

Contact your Senators and Representative. Ask: 'Will you support legislation to restore Section 2 Voting Rights Act protections and oppose DOJ efforts to dismantle minority-majority districts?' Support the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Democracy Docket, and Campaign Legal Center litigation.

On May 1, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon announced the DOJ will target Black and Latino majority-majority voting districts across the country using the Supreme Court's April 29 Callais ruling that gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Dhillon stated: 'In any state that has this type of protected Section 2 majority-minority district, those lines are going to change in coming years,' adding the policy 'is going to really impact almost all of the southern states.' The DOJ -- historically charged with protecting minority voting rights -- is now reversing its mission to attack those protections.

Contact your Senators and Representative. Ask: 'Will you vote to enforce the War Powers Resolution and require authorization for continued military operations against Iran, including the naval blockade?' Support the War Powers Caucus and ACLU legal challenges to unauthorized military action.

On May 1, the 60-day War Powers Resolution deadline, Trump sent letters to House Speaker Johnson and Senate President Pro Tempore Grassley asserting hostilities with Iran 'have terminated' since the April 7 ceasefire. Legal experts and Democratic lawmakers reject the claim, noting the War Powers Act contains no pause mechanism and the US Navy continues an active blockade of Iranian ports -- which Iran and multiple senators call an act of war. Senator Blumenthal stated: 'There's no pause button in the Constitution, or the War Powers Act. The blockade alone is a continuing act of war.'

Contact your Senators and Representative. Ask: 'Do you accept the President's claim that the War Powers Act is unconstitutional, and will you assert Congress's constitutional authority over war-making?' Support veterans' organizations and constitutional law groups defending congressional war powers.

On May 1, Trump told reporters the War Powers Resolution is 'totally unconstitutional' and attacked members of Congress seeking authorization for the Iran war as 'not patriotic people' and 'losers.' He stated: 'Every other president considered it totally unconstitutional, and we agree with that.' The remarks represent a direct presidential attack on a foundational post-Vietnam law designed to prevent unilateral presidential war-making, characterizing lawful constitutional oversight as illegitimate and disloyal.

Contact your state legislators if in Alabama or Tennessee. Ask: 'Will you oppose racially motivated redistricting that eliminates minority representation?' Support the ACLU, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and state-level voting rights organizations filing legal challenges.

On May 1, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey called a special legislative session starting Monday to redraw congressional maps and potentially eliminate the state's second Black-majority district held by Rep. Terri Sewell. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee called a special session for May 5 to 'review' the state's map, targeting the sole Democratic district held by Rep. Steve Cohen in majority-Black Memphis. Trump personally called Lee and is pressuring Republican governors nationwide to redistrict before the 2026 midterms, having endorsed primary challengers against Indiana Republicans who refused his redistricting demands.