Democratic lawmakers are cheering after the Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump overstepped his authority by imposing steep tariffs on global imports, striking down one of the most aggressive assertions of a president’s executive power.
The 6-3 ruling found that the Emergency Powers Act of 1977 did not provide legal justification for the administration’s high tariffs, which Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer framed as a victory for “American consumers” and an example of Trump’s “overreach that has failed.”
“We’ve said it from day one: A president cannot ignore Congress and unilaterally slap tariffs on Americans,” he said. “Now Trump must end this reckless trade war for good and finally give families and small businesses the relief they deserve.”
House Democratic Whip Catherine Clark of Massachusetts put it this way: “Victory for the American people.
“Trump’s tariffs are an illegal tax on working families — hiking costs on everything from groceries to utility bills,” she wrote on social media. “Democrats will continue to fight to make your life more affordable.”
Trump, meanwhile, was unrepentant. Speaking during a White House breakfast with governors Friday morning, the president called the ruling “disgraceful” and told those gathered that he had a backup plan, though he did not provide any details.
The decision, from a right-wing supermajority court, rests on a foundational constitutional question: Who controls the power to tax? Tariffs normally require congressional approval, but Trump has argued that he can bypass that requirement by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which gives presidents the power to regulate international transactions during a declared national emergency.
A majority of the court disagreed, with Chief Justice John Roberts saying from the bench that “taxing Americans is the vehicle, and has always been, the principal power of Congress.”
Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey expressed outrage that the tariffs were in the first place. “Trump has spent a lot of money on unpopular and illegal tariffs,” he said, adding, “This ruling is a step in righting these wrongs, but we have more to do.”
Colorado Rep. Joe Negus, whose congressional litigation task force has pursued the challenge from district courts to the Supreme Court and is focused on blocking 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 verdict is a victory for the American people.”
Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, a senior member of the Democratic leadership, said the supersession confirmed what his party had argued for months. “This is a big win for the American people who are suffering from high prices,” he said. “Democrats will continue to fight to reduce spending and hold Trump accountable.”
The ruling also drew criticism from some Republicans. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, a longtime critic of executive overreach, framed the ruling in broad theoretical terms that would prevent any future president (such as the AOC) from using emergency powers to unilaterally enact massive economic policy to “implement socialism.”
Representative Morgan Griffith of Virginia, another Republican, offered a conciliatory note, saying Congress “can work with President Trump on the trade reforms we need to help the American people.”
The ruling also weighed heavily on Democrats who represent economically exposed districts that depend on trade and tourism.
Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas, whose southern district depends on cross-border trade, said the ruling reiterated that “Congress has authority over tariffs and taxes,” adding that strong trade policy does not require “increasing spending on everyday goods and commodities.” Nevada spokeswoman Susie Lee said the tariffs took a “wrecking ball to Southern Nevada’s tourism economy.”
However, Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire noted the limits of the ruling’s reach. “I am grateful that the Supreme Court has struck down many of these illegal tariffs, this ruling does not undo the damage they have already caused,” she said.
New York spokesman Tom Suozzi said the ruling had a message beyond the immediate financial impact.
“The clear message is that the president cannot act unilaterally and must try and negotiate with Congress, a co-equal branch of government.”
