Democrats revel in supreme court decision curbing Trump’s tariff spree | Trump tariffs
Democratic lawmakers are rejoicing after the Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump overstepped his authority by imposing high tariffs on global imports, overturning one of the president’s most offensive assertions of executive power.
The 6-3 decision found that the 1977 emergency powers law did not provide legal justification for many of the administration’s far-reaching tariffs; Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer’s decision was framed as a win for “American consumers” and an example of how Trump’s “excessive powers have failed.”
“We’ve said this from day one: A president cannot ignore Congress and unilaterally impose tariffs on Americans,” he said. “Now Trump must end this reckless trade war once and for all and finally give families and small businesses the relief they deserve.”
Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, a leading House Democrat, put it this way: “A victory for the American people.
“Trump’s tariffs are an illegal tax on working families, raising the cost of everything from food to utility bills,” he said wrote on social media. “Democrats will continue to fight to make your life more affordable.”
Trump, meanwhile, showed no regrets. The president spoke to governors over breakfast at the White House on Friday morning. reportedly He called the decision a “disgrace” and told those gathered he had a backup plan, but did not provide details.
The decision from a right-wing majority court hinges on a fundamental constitutional question: Who controls the power to tax? Tariffs usually require congressional approval, but Trump has argued that he can bypass that requirement by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which gives presidents authority to regulate international transactions during declared national emergencies.
The majority of the court disagreed; “The means is to tax Americans, and that has always been the primary power of Congress,” Chief Justice John Roberts said from the bench.
New Jersey Senator Andy Kim expressed outrage that the tariffs existed in the first place. “Trump cost you a lot of money with unpopular and illegal tariffs,” he said in questionHe added that the decision “is a step towards righting these wrongs, but we still have a long way to go.”
Representative Joe Neguse of Colorado, whose congressional litigation task force pursued the challenge from district courts to the Supreme Court and focused on blocking Trump’s executive actions, called it a vindication. “Our Litigation Task Force has fought against President Trump’s unlawful and reckless tariffs every step of the way,” he said. in question. “Today’s decision is a victory for the American people.”
Representative Pete Aguilar of California, a senior member of the Democratic leadership. decision said He confirmed what his party had been claiming for months. “This is a great victory for the American people who are suffering from sky-high prices,” he said. “Democrats will continue to fight to cut costs and hold Trump accountable.”
The decision also sparked comments from some Republicans. Kentucky senator Rand Paul, a long-time critic of executive overreach, framed the decision in broader ideological terms, saying it would hinder any future president (“like AOC”), refrains from using emergency powers to “implement socialism” to unilaterally enact a comprehensive economic policy.
Representative Morgan Griffith of Virginia, another Republican, presented a conciliatory noteHe said Congress “can work with President Trump on necessary trade reforms to help the American people.”
The decision also carried weight for Democrats who represent economically weak areas that rely on trade and tourism.
Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas, whose Southern district is dependent on cross-border trade. decision said He reaffirmed that “Congress has authority over tariffs and taxation,” adding that strong trade policy does not require “increasing costs on everyday goods and materials.” Nevada representative Susie Lee he said the tariffs It had brought “a wrecking ball to Southern Nevada’s tourism economy.”
Still, New Hampshire’s Democratic senator, Maggie Hassan, noted the limits of the resolution’s scope. “While I am grateful that the Supreme Court overturned many of these illegal tariffs, this decision cannot undo the harm they have already caused,” he said. in question.
New York Representative Tom Suozzi said the decision carried a message beyond the immediate economic impact.
“This is a clear message that the president cannot act unilaterally and must negotiate with Congress, the co-equal branch of government, and try to find common ground.”
