Supreme Court rules that Trump's sweeping emergency tariffs are illegal

[dalton99a]

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/20/politics/supreme-court-tariffs

Supreme Court rules that Trump’s sweeping emergency tariffs are illegal

The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that President Donald Trump violated federal law when he unilaterally imposed sweeping tariffs across the globe, a striking loss for the White House on an issue that has been central to the president’s foreign policy and economic agenda.

The decision is arguably the most important loss the second Trump administration has sustained at the conservative Supreme Court, which last year repeatedly sided with the president in a series of emergency rulings on immigration, the firing of the leaders of independent agencies and deep cuts to government spending.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion and the court agreed 6-3 that the tariffs exceeded the law. The court, however, did not say what should happen to the more than $130 billion in tariffs that has already been collected.

“The president asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope,” Roberts wrote for the court. “In light of the breadth, history, and constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it.”

The emergency authority Trump attempted to rely on, the court said, “falls short.”

...


Pdf of opinion:
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdf

[Coldwater]

1. His entire economic policy was based on tariffs,

The downside, we're now looking at years of civil litigation ahead for corporations who have sued the Trump administration over tariffs

[rampartd]

4. and punitive damages

including all the small businesses destroyed by this insane policy.

no doubt trump will settle the suits with all his donors and everyone ends up happy except us, holding the tab.

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Not to worry

They have a backup plan ready to go.

There is another law Trump can invoke to impose tariffs, although I think it limits him to just 10-15% max.

I don’t think today’s ruling affects his use of the other law, and even if challenged, I expect it to take another year before being overturned, as this one did.

[MichMan]

3. When are we getting refunds for everything we bought?

[Ray Bruns]

5. When the sun goes supernova.

So in about 5 billion years.

[dalton99a]

6. In two weeks.

[aggiesal]

7. Kavanaugh, Thomas & Alito dissented. Go figure. n/t

[UTUSN]

8. K&R for, KRASNOV "violated"!

[Ol Janx Spirit]

9. Has anyone checked on our aircraft carriers yet?

“Without tariffs, and all of the TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS we have already taken in, our Country would be completely destroyed, and our military power would be instantly obliterated,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/08/31/trump-says-his-tariffs-collected-trillions-in-revenue-heres-the-real-figure/

[dalton99a]

10. +1

[Endlessmike56]

12. I guess he can't attack Iran then lol 😆

[Ol Janx Spirit]

13. Exactly....

https://democraticunderground.com/100221034753

[dalton99a]

14. U.S. weapons and ammo instantly rendered inoperative by tariffs decision.

[malaise]

11. It's disgraceful what the Courts have done

Slobby.

[AllaN01Bear]

15. and yet they gave him LIMITEED immunity. hem

[Scalded Nun]

16. Roberts: The presedent cannot wield unchecked power

Reality: You and your treasonous colleagues told him and the world he could to fucking anything he wanted to with complete immunity.

Just what the hell did you think a person of Trump's character would (or wouldn't) do?

[angrychair]

17. Class action lawsuit

By millions of Americans for increased costs due to illegal tariffs.

Want to defeat a president? Start costing lots of money and the real power behind this will buckle.

[CapnSteve]

18. The rapist, felon, fraud, pedophile broke the law again?

Wow. So shocking. Meh.

He will keep doing it until he is stopped.