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 exceeded his authority by imposing high tariffs on global imports, reversing one of the president’s most aggressive assertions of executive power.

The 6-3 decision found that a 1977 emergency powers law did not provide legal justification for most of the administration’s massive tariffs, a decision that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer touted as a victory for “American consumers” and an example of how Trump’s “excessive ambition” has failed.

“We’ve said it from day one: A president cannot ignore Congress and unilaterally impose tariffs on Americans,” he said. “Now, Trump should end this irresponsible trade war for good and finally give families and small businesses the relief they deserve.”

House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts called it: “A victory for the American people.”

“Trump’s tariffs are an illegal tax on working families – raising costs on everything from groceries to utility bills,” she wrote on social media. “Democrats will continue to fight to make life more affordable. »

Meanwhile, Trump was unrepentant. Speaking at a White House breakfast with governors Friday morning, the president reportedly called the decision a “disgrace” and told those gathered that he had a backup plan, but did not provide details.

The decision, which comes from a right-wing supermajority court, rests on a fundamental constitutional question: who controls the power to tax? Tariffs typically require congressional approval, but Trump had argued he could get around that requirement by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which grants presidents the power to regulate international transactions during declared national emergencies.

The majority of the Court disagreed, with Chief Justice John Roberts saying from the bench that “the vehicle is the imposition of taxes on Americans, and that has always been an essential power of Congress.”

Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey expressed anger at the existence of these tariffs. “Trump has cost you dearly in unpopular and illegal tariffs,” he said, adding that the decision was “a step in righting these wrongs, but we still have a long way to go.”

Colorado Rep. Joe Neguse, whose congressional litigation task force has pursued the challenge from district courts to the Supreme Court and who is focused on limiting Trump’s executive actions, called it vindication. “Our Litigation Task Force has fought President Trump’s illegal and reckless tariffs every step of the way,” he said. “Today’s decision is a victory for the American people.”

Pete Aguilar, the California representative and a key member of the Democratic leadership, said the decision confirmed what his party had stood for months. “This is a major victory for the American people who are suffering from exorbitant prices,” he said. “Democrats will continue to fight to cut costs and hold Trump accountable. »

The decision also drew comments from some Republicans. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a longtime critic of executive overreach, framed the decision in broader ideological terms, saying it would prevent any future president (“like AOC”) from using emergency powers to unilaterally enact radical economic policy “to implement socialism.”

Virginia Rep. Morgan Griffith, another Republican, struck a conciliatory note, saying Congress could “work with President Trump on critical trade reforms to help the American people.”

The decision also weighed on Democrats representing districts that are economically vulnerable and dependent on trade and tourism.

Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, whose southern district depends on cross-border trade, said the decision reaffirmed that “Congress has authority over tariffs and taxation,” adding that strong trade policy did not require “increasing the costs of everyday goods and materials.” Nevada Rep. Susie Lee said the tariffs had delivered “a wrecking ball to Southern Nevada’s tourism economy.”

Maggie Hassan, Democratic senator from New Hampshire, nevertheless highlighted the limits of the scope of this decision. “While I am grateful that the Supreme Court struck down many of these illegal tariffs, this decision cannot undo the damage they have already caused,” she said.

Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York said the decision carried a message beyond the immediate economic impact.

“It is a clear message that the president cannot act unilaterally and must negotiate and try to find common ground with the co-equal branch of government: Congress.”