The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his legal authority when he imposed sweeping global tariffs on imports using emergency powers, delivering a major legal setback to the White House’s trade strategy and drawing praise from Republican lawmakers who had long opposed the measures.
In a 6-3 decision, the Court found that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to levy tariffs without explicit congressional authorization was unconstitutional.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority that the president “must identify clear congressional authorization” to impose tariffs, which are essentially import taxes that fall within Congress’s constitutional trade and tax powers.
The ruling immediately reshaped political dynamics within the Republican Party, giving voice to lawmakers who had privately or quietly criticized the tariff strategy. Sen. Rand Paul, a long-time opponent of broad presidential economic power, wrote on social media: “In defense of our Republic, the Supreme Court struck down using emergency powers to enact taxes.”
He added that the decision would prevent “a future President such as AOC from using emergency powers to enact socialism,” referring to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who has not declared a presidential bid.
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) welcomed the decision as affirmation of Congress’s control over trade policy, saying that presidential trade actions “must be rooted in clear authority granted by the people’s representatives.”
Other Republicans emphasized the constitutional separation of powers without directly attacking Trump’s broader policy goals.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), while defending past tariff efforts for giving the U.S. leverage with trading partners, wrote that “Congress and the Administration will determine the best path forward.” He noted the need to respect the judiciary’s interpretation while exploring future legislative solutions.
The ruling was also welcomed by Republicans outside Congress; former Vice President Mike Pence, a critic of global tariffs, said voters and consumers “can breathe a sigh of relief” because duties had raised costs for families and businesses.
Trump sharply criticized the decision, calling the justices “very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution” and asserting without evidence that it was influenced by foreign interests.
Democrats praised the Supreme Court’s limits on executive power. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) said Trump’s tariff policy had “sidestepped Congress” and harmed families, while calling the decision a victory for constitutional governance.
The ruling leaves in place existing trade laws but curtails the president’s ability to enact broad tariffs without congressional action.
The White House has indicated it may pursue alternative legal tools to maintain trade leverage, but Republicans now see an opening to reassert legislative authority over tariffs.
