President Donald Trump criticized the U.S. Supreme Court justices’ ruling on his tariffs while they were sitting right in front of him during his State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
Trump delivered his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, his first since returning to the White House for his second term. He used the opportunity to tout accomplishments from his first year in office, as well as criticize the Supreme Court, which dealt him a major blow just days earlier.
A majority of the High Court struck down his sweeping tariff policy on Friday, limiting his ability to impose tariffs without congressional authority. The president sought to impose large tariffs on dozens of countries upon his return to office, but that policy sparked legal questions about whether he had the authority to impose them under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a 1977 law that grants commanders-in-chief special powers in emergencies.
What To Know
Trump addressed the ruling during his Tuesday evening address. He called it a “very unfortunate” ruling and that it was “unfortunate” that the Supreme Court got involved in his tariffs. The justices sat still, showing no reaction to Trump’s comments.
Justices of the Supreme Court typically attend a president’s State of the Union address regardless of the party in power. Although lawmakers may skip the speech if they oppose the president, justices, historically seen as less political, usually attend regardless.
The address set the tone for the remainder of Trump’s term in office, including for the months leading up to the midterms in November, when Democrats hope to reclaim a majority of seats in the House of Representatives and Senate.
Supreme Court Tariff Ruling Sparks Trump Criticism
The Supreme Court has made major rulings on Trump’s agenda, at times siding with him but in other cases dealing blows to his authority. A majority of the court sided against the Trump administration on tariffs last week.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion of the court. The court’s three liberal-leaning justices, Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, joined along with conservative-leaning justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett.
“The President asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope. In light of the breadth, history, and constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it,” the court ruled.
Roberts continued in the ruling, “IEEPA’s grant of authority to ‘regulate…importation’ falls short. IEEPA contains no reference to tariffs or duties. The Government points to no statute in which Congress used the word ‘regulate’ to authorize taxation. And until now no President has read IEEPA to confer such power.”
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented from the majority opinion.
Trump has been critical of the court since the ruling.
During a meeting with governors on Friday, Trump described the ruling as a “disgrace,” reported CNN. He also told reporters that he believes the Supreme Court is swayed by “foreign interests” during a press briefing on Friday.
“It’s my opinion that the [Supreme] Court has been swayed by foreign interests and a political movement that is far smaller than people would ever think,” he said.
He also said the court was “barely” invited to the address.
“They are invited, barely. Three are happily invited. They’re barely invited. Honestly, I couldn’t care less if they come, OK?” he said during the press conference.
He has also touted alternative plans to impose tariffs.
The court has ruled against Trump in other cases, including placing limits on his ability to deploy National Guard troops to the Chicago area to support federal immigration officers late last year. But it has also given him victories regarding presidential immunity and other parts of his sweeping agenda as he has sought to shake up the federal government.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, in part, on Monday: “The supreme court (will be using lower case letters for a while based on a complete lack of respect!) of the United States accidentally and unwittingly gave me, as President of the United States, far more powers and strength than I had prior to their ridiculous, dumb, and very internationally divisive ruling.”
Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in his dissenting opinion: “In the meantime, however, the interim effects of the Court’s decision could be substantial. The United States may be required to refund billions of dollars to importers who paid the IEEPA tariffs, even though some importers may have already passed on costs to consumers or others.”
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in his opinion on the tariff case: “For those who think it important for the Nation to impose more tariffs, I understand that today’s decision will be disappointing.”
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