Democrats rejoice in Supreme Court rebuke of Trump tariffs

Democrats in Congress rejoiced Friday and Republicans remained divided after the Supreme Court’s landmark decision that upended much of President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (DY) said in a statement after the decision, “Trump’s chaotic and illegal tariff has made life more expensive and our economy more unstable. Families paid more. Small businesses and farmers were squeezed. Markets swung wildly.” “We have said from day one: A president cannot ignore Congress and unilaterally impose tariffs on Americans. This overreach has failed.”

The decision is a major blow for Trump, who has been heaping tariffs on American trading partners using a new version of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Tariffs, and the economy more broadly, will be a key messaging issue for Democrats during the campaign for this year’s midterm elections. Primary elections will begin next month and continue until the November general election.

The Supreme Court decision sets up additional potential showdowns in Congress over how to handle Trump’s trade war, after the U.S. House voted last week to repeal tariffs on Canada.

Trump’s proven tariffs for Republicans hugely unpopular In a crucial election year, this is a more complex issue.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, said, “SCOTUS’ outrageous decision handcuffs our fight against unfair trade that has devastated American workers for decades. These tariffs have protected jobs, stimulated manufacturing, and forced crooks like China to pay up.” sent to x.

“This betrayal must be reversed, and Republicans must immediately begin working on a compromise bill that will enact the tariffs that have made our country the hottest country on earth!” Moreno continued.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who voted with Democrats against Trump’s tariffs, celebrated the decision. He and other opponents of trade policy argued that it was Congress, not the president, that had the constitutional authority to enact taxes and tariffs.

“In defense of our Republic, the Supreme Court struck down the use of emergency powers to enact taxes,” Paul said. Published on X. “This decision would also prevent a future President like AOC from using emergency powers to implement socialism.”

The court ruled a little more than a week after a small group of House Republicans joined most of their Democratic colleagues in rescinding Trump’s 35% tariffs on Canada; but it was largely symbolic, as the resolution would require approval from the Senate and the White House to take effect.

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., one of six Republicans who voted to repeal the tariffs, called the ruling “a common-sense and clear decision by the Supreme Court.”

Bacon said, “The checks and balances of the Constitution are still in operation. The First Amendment gives Congress the power to impose tariffs.” He wrote to X. “Going forward, Congress should assert their own authority and not rely on the Supreme Court.”

While some Democrats suggested that Trump would seek other mechanisms to impose tariffs, some Republicans said Trump should do so.

“Good news today. The Supreme Court struck down many of Trump’s tariffs. Unfortunately, this President is committed to paying these taxes. He will try other ways to keep them in place,” said Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. send to x. “I will continue to vote to block Trump’s reckless tariffs in the Senate.”

Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., in the House He launched his lawIt was called the RELIEF Act, which would trigger tariff rebates to small businesses.

“These taxes stole money from the working families and small businesses who had to pay them in the first place. Now it’s time to start repairing the economic damage caused by these Trump taxes,” Horsford said. sent to x.

The legislation is symbolic because its success would require significant support from Republicans in the GOP-controlled House and Senate. And many of Trump’s allies have suggested that the Supreme Court decision will not be the end of the president’s tariff agenda.