Truth and Action Roundup 5.22.2026

View this email in your browser Welcome to the Truth and Action Roundup, your reliable weekly source for information, inspiration, and opportunities for action during the second Trump administration.  Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to continue receiving it. This Monday, there was a mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Three men were killed before the two teenagers responsible committed suicide. After this tragedy, people have questioned what motivated the killers. In targeting the Islamic Center, the pair hoped to copy past mass shootings, aiming to harm the children at the center, but were stopped by the courage of Amin Abdullah, the center’s security guard. There is clear evidence that the shooters wanted to follow the example of past killers. It is important to understand what led these teenagers to violence, but we also need to recognize and speak out about the hatred that drove them. This hatred is not limited to online spaces. Proverbs 31:9 calls us to “open our mouths, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” We must be clear-eyed and honest about the hatred Muslims face in our communities. Right now, our country is at war with Iran, the third Muslim country we have fought since 2000. This war is being led by the Secretary of Defense, an open supporter of Christian Nationalism, and commanded by a President who regularly denigrates Muslims himself. Ignoring this context when we talk about Monday’s violence dishonors the victims and keeps us from taking responsibility to ensure this violence never happens again. As Christians, we cannot stay silent about violence done in our name. We must advocate for peace and commit ourselves to healing the pain caused by hatred toward Muslims, both here and around the world. This means we must also challenge those in power who spread this hatred. –Rev. Moya Harris and Chad Stanton, Sojourners P.S. We are continuing to build an intentional community of people looking to enact their faith in our Sojourners Faith and Practice Forum on Mighty Networks. Please consider joining us. In the News Trump’s cruel deportation agenda barreled ahead, sometimes in defiance of the law. Senate Republicans advanced a budget reconciliation bill that would fund immigration agencies within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through 2029. The reconciliation process allows Republicans to sidestep a filibuster and pass the $72 billion bill along party lines. A federal judge banned ICE from making arrests, except in rare cases, in and around three Manhattan buildings where immigration hearings take place. But just one day later, ICE agents seemed to ignore the judge’s order by making arrests at the immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza. Former City Comptroller Brad Lander called this a “constitutional crisis.” The U.S. continued to put pressure on Cuba while also attempting to force concessions from Iran. The U.S. Department of Justice indicted Raul Castro, the 94-year-old former president of Cuba, for allegedly helping to shoot down two U.S. planes carrying anti-Castro activists in 1996. This indictment came soon after CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials on May 14. The U.S. and Iran are still negotiating to try to end the war started by the U.S. and Israel, which is now almost three months old. NBC News reported a “new burst of diplomatic action” on Thursday to try to break the deadlock between the two countries. The Trump administration continued to show clear signs of authoritarian overreach. Months before Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund was announced, DOJ official Ed Martin told a Republican operative that January 6th Capitol rioters would get millions of dollars from the government before Trump’s presidency ended. In the past few weeks, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has targeted ABC, speeding up the review of eight local broadcasting licenses. This happened soon after the White House strongly criticized ABC’s late-night host, Jimmy Kimmel, for a joke he made about Melania Trump the week before. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke Monday at a campaign event boosting the Trump-backed challenger to Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., ahead of Tuesday’s primary elections, which the challenger, Ed Gallrein, went on to win. It’s highly unusual, to say the least, for the defense secretary to participate in a political event. Take Action Next week, we’re launching the Context Unlocked webinar series with Trinity Williams to discuss the war in Iran. We’re continuing to call for an end to the blockading of Cuba. What We’re Reading “The San Antonio Nuns Chanting ‘Go Spurs Go! And God Bless!” | “Playing sports is a way of glorifying God with the gifts that he has given you. But as we’re playing, just know that everything you do is a gift from him. (by Jenna Barnett) “MAGA's 9-Hour Prayer Festival Is Based on a False Idea” | “Christian nationalism reveals itself to be sinful because of its idolatrous fruits...” (by Heather Brady) Deep Breaths This week, Rev. Harris is traveling, so this week I’ll share some thoughts about joy. –Chad Stanton, Political Director, Sojourners ————— I’ve been thinking a lot about my grandmother Carolyn as she grows older. When I consider that my grandmother was born into a world that was still striving to recognize her full humanity by recognizing her civil rights, and how we are back striving once again, I sometimes fall into despair. But one of the memorable and striking things about my grandmother is her showing her wonderful smile. Despite everything, the boundless joy and optimism of her life have bound together generations of my family. It’s her spirit I want to carry forward and share in this moment when things look bleak. With this in mind, I’d like to share this performance of “Joy Comes In The Morning” by Chris Blue here. The Truth and Action Roundup is compiled by Sojourners staff: President: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor Senior Research Associate: J.K. Granberg-Michaelson Digital Content and Community Specialist: Kassandra Tapia Chief Program and Impact Officer: Bryan Epps Political Director: Chad V. Stanton Senior Program Director: Rev. Moya Harris Digital Education and Outreach Specialist: Cortnie Brooks Policy and Action Assistant: Trinity Williams Donate Subscribe Copyright © 2026 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842