The Introspective

The week included renewed strikes on Iran, a court ruling against tariffs, and new federal investigations and legal appeals.

Dante Belcher

May 8, 2026

Trump’s 68th week brought renewed strikes on Iran, court rulings, immigration actions, and the ongoing trade war. The U.S. relaunched strikes against Iran amid the ongoing ceasefire, raising implications as the U.S. accused the country of “unprovoked” attacks. At the same time, the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a probe into $2.6 billion in oil trades related to the war. Meanwhile, as anti-immigrant sentiment continues, the State Department will begin revoking passports for parents who owe child support.

Following a previous report from The Introspective detailing allegations that Trump raped writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s, the president later asked a federal appeals court to pause the ruling. This comes as a separate court ruled that Trump’s 10% tariffs are illegal, raising implications as the trade war continues.

Iran, DOJ, and Immigration

With the ceasefire ongoing, the U.S. relaunched strikes against Iran after officials alleged an “unprovoked” attack from Iran.

“U.S. forces intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks and responded with self-defense strikes as U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman, May 7,” the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a press release.

“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) eliminated inbound threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces, including missile and drone launch sites; command-and-control locations; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance nodes,” it continued.

“CENTCOM does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces.”

In a Truth Social post, Trump warned Iran against escalating tensions following the strikes.

“Three world-class American destroyers just transited, very successfully, out of the Strait of Hormuz, under fire. There was no damage done to the three destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers,” Trump said.

“They are led by LUNATICS, and if they had the chance to use a nuclear weapon, they would do it, without question—but they’ll never have that opportunity and, just like we knocked them out again today, we’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their deal signed, FAST!”

In an address to Iranian TV, First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the country would soon celebrate a “great victory” in the war.

“We will soon hold our victory celebration, and the sanctions and pressures that have been imposed on the Iranian nation over recent years will be lifted with the great victory of the Iranian nation,” he said.

This comes as the Department of Justice launched a probe into $2.6 billion in oil trades related to the war, raising implications as oil prices have fluctuated due to the conflict.

At the same time, as anti-immigrant sentiment continues, the State Department will begin revoking passports for parents who owe child support.

“We are expanding a commonsense practice that has been proven effective at getting those who owe child support to pay their debt,” said Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar.

“Once these parents resolve their debts, they can once again enjoy the privilege of a U.S. passport.”

The department later said it had “seen data that hundreds of parents took action and resolved their arrears with state authorities since news broke that the State Department would start proactively revoking passports.”

“While we can’t confirm the causation in all of those cases, we are taking this action precisely to impel these parents to do the right thing by their children and by U.S. law,” the department said in a statement to The Introspective.

Trade and E. Jean Caroll

Following a previous report from The Introspective detailing allegations that Trump raped writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s, the president later asked a federal appeals court to pause the ruling.

“This Court should now stay the mandate to allow President Trump to present important questions relating to, without limitation, presidential immunity and the Westfall Act to the Supreme Court,” read the court filing, referring to the Westfall Act, a 1988 law that grants federal employees immunity from lawsuits.

“Carroll does not oppose this motion.”

This comes after a jury awarded Carroll $83 million in damages in 2024.

Meanwhile, as the trade war continues, a separate court ruled that Trump’s 10% tariffs are illegal.