Trump Blasts Supreme Court Over Tariff Ruling as Constitutional Clash Unfolds
In a dramatic turn of events, United States President Donald Trump expressed vehement disapproval of the Supreme Court on Friday, following its decision to strike down his extensive global tariff regime. According to a source familiar with the president's reaction who spoke to AP, Trump labeled the majority verdict "a disgrace" during a private meeting with governors, highlighting the intense political and legal tensions surrounding the case.
Constitutional Authority at the Heart of the Ruling
Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized that the Constitution explicitly grants the power to levy taxes, including tariffs, to Congress. He stated, "The Framers did not vest any part of the taxing power in the Executive Branch," underscoring a fundamental principle of American governance. This ruling directly challenges the Trump administration's assertion that a 1977 law, which allows the president to regulate imports during emergencies, also permits the imposition of tariffs.
Dissenting Voices and Legal Complexities
Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented from the majority opinion. Kavanaugh, in particular, argued that the tariffs were lawful based on constitutional text, historical practice, and legal precedent, regardless of their policy merits. The court also left unresolved the critical issue of whether companies, such as retail giant Costco, would be eligible for refunds on the billions of dollars already paid under the tariff regime. Kavanaugh cautioned that this process could prove complex, adding another layer of uncertainty for affected businesses.
Political and Economic Ramifications
Trump was meeting privately with nearly two dozen governors from both parties when the decision was released, and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Republican president had previously called this case one of the most important in U.S. history, warning that a ruling against him would deliver an economic body blow to the country. However, legal opposition crossed the political spectrum, including libertarian and pro-business groups typically aligned with the GOP, and polling indicates tariffs are not broadly popular amid voter concerns about affordability.
Historical Context and Executive Power
The Supreme Court ruling comes despite a series of short-term wins on the court's emergency docket that have allowed Trump to push ahead with extraordinary flexes of executive power, ranging from high-profile firings to major federal funding cuts. While other presidents have used the 1977 law dozens of times, often to impose sanctions, Trump was the first to invoke it for import taxes, setting a contentious precedent that has now been curtailed by the judiciary.
