President Donald Trump unleashed a blistering attack on the Supreme Court of the U.S. on Friday after the high court struck down most of his sweeping global tariff policy in a 6-3 decision.
Calling the ruling “a disgrace to our nation,” Trump accused members of the conservative-majority court of lacking courage and suggested some justices were being “swayed by foreign interests.”
The extraordinary rebuke came during an emergency press conference just hours after the decision was handed down.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing and I’m ashamed of certain members of the Court,” Trump said. “Absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country.”
In a surprising alignment, three conservative justices joined the court’s three liberal members to block Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 as legal justification for imposing broad tariffs.
Chief Justice John Roberts authored the majority opinion, joined by Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, both Trump appointees.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the dissent, joined by Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas.
Roberts wrote that if Congress had intended to grant the president the “distinct and extraordinary power to impose tariffs,” it would have done so explicitly. The ruling concluded that Trump lacked clear congressional authorization to enact the sweeping measures under the emergency powers law he cited.
Trump blasted the logic of the decision, arguing that it ties his hands economically while leaving other executive authorities intact. “I’m allowed to destroy the country, but I can’t charge them a little fee,” he said. “I can do anything I want to do to them, but I can’t charge any money.”
Despite the setback, Trump vowed immediate action. He announced plans to sign a new executive order imposing a 10% global tariff that he believes falls within legal bounds not addressed by the ruling, per the Daily Mail.
“We have alternatives – great alternatives,” Trump said. “We’ll take in more money, and we’ll be a lot stronger for it.”
The financial stakes are significant. Estimates suggest roughly $175 billion in tariff revenue could be affected by the decision. Markets reacted swiftly, with Wall Street posting gains following news of the ruling.
The decision marks a rare and public clash between Trump and a court reshaped during his first term, when he appointed three justices. For months, Trump had publicly urged the court to side with his administration, even floating the idea of attending oral arguments in person.
While the ruling blocks the current tariff framework, the court noted that Trump could seek authorization from Congress or rely on other statutory authorities. With Republicans controlling both chambers, that path remains open, though bipartisan cooperation may be required in the Senate.
The confrontation underscores the ongoing tension between executive power and judicial limits, setting up what could be a defining legal and political battle over trade policy in Trump’s second term.
