Donald Trump on Friday lashed out at Supreme Court justices who blocked his use of the tariffs, calling the decision a “disgrace to the country” and saying he plans to impose more tariffs under other legal authorities.
“My view is that the court has been capitulated by foreign interests and a little more political movement than people ever imagined,” the president said during remarks from the White House. He showed that influence socially and culturally. “I am ashamed of some of the members of the court. Absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what is right for our country.”
He praised the three justices who dissented in the opinion — Brett Kavanagh, who wrote the lead dissent, and Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Others — including two of his appointees, Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch — mocked him.
“They are fools and lapdogs for the rhinos [Republicans in name only] And the radical left Democrats, not that they want anything to do with it,” Trump said. “They are very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution.”
Referring to Barrett and Gorsuch, he described them as “an embarrassment to their families” and said they were “barely” invited to next week’s State of the Union address.
Asked for evidence of foreign influence on the Supreme Court, Trump replied: “You’re going to find out.”
Trump said he would immediately sign an order raising tariffs by 10% worldwide under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 and would open investigations into unfair trade practices that would allow further tariffs. He asserted that he had the authority to impose additional tariffs under existing laws without reference to congressional approval.
“I wanted to be a good boy,” Trump said, explaining his relative restraint in issuing tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump said the tariffs would remain “in place and in full force and effect” under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
