In a sharp rebuke to his trade agenda, US President Donald Trump lashed out at the Supreme Court of the United States on Friday after it struck down his sweeping global tariffs, calling the decision “ridiculous” and accusing some justices of undermining the country’s economic interests.
In a strongly worded response, Trump said those members of the court who voted against what he described as a “very acceptable and proper method of tariffs should be ashamed of themselves,” adding that he would pursue alternative measures to impose new duties.
Court blocks sweeping tariffs
The Supreme Court, in a 6–3 ruling written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr, held that Trump had exceeded his legal authority when he imposed tariffs on nearly all US trading partners last year.
The decision dealt a major blow to a cornerstone of Trump’s economic and trade policy, which relied heavily on tariffs to pressure foreign governments and reshape global supply chains.
The majority found that the president’s use of emergency powers to justify the tariffs went beyond what Congress had authorized, effectively invalidating the broad measures that had targeted dozens of countries.
Lashing out at the decision, the US president added in his series of Truth Social posts, “To show you how ridiculous the opinion is, the Court said that I’m not allowed to charge even $1 DOLLAR to any Country under IEEPA, I assume to protect other Countries, not the United States which they should be interested in protecting — But I am allowed to cut off any and all Trade or Business with that same Country, even imposing a Foreign Country destroying embargo, and do anything else I want to do to them — How nonsensical is that? They are saying that I have the absolute right to license, but not the right to charge a license fee.
What license has ever been issued without the right to charge a fee? But now the Court has given me the unquestioned right to ban all sorts of things from coming into our Country, a much more powerful Right than many people thought we had. “
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Trump reacts to US Supreme Court verdict invalidating his tariffs
Trump targets justices, including his own appointees
Trump singled out two justices he had appointed, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, expressing frustration that they ruled against him despite his nomination.
“What happened today with the two justices that I appointed against great opposition… never seems to happen with Democrats,” Trump said.
He also criticised Chief Justice Roberts, accusing him of leading an effort that would allow foreign countries to continue “ripping us off,” while praising dissenting justices including Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh for what he called their “strength, wisdom, and love of our country.”
Further doubling on tariffs, Trump said, “In actuality, while I am sure they did not mean to do so, the Supreme Court’s decision today made a President’s ability to both regulate Trade, and impose TARIFFS, more powerful and crystal clear, rather than less.
There will no longer be any doubt, and the Income coming in, and the protection of our Companies and Country, will actually increase because of this decision. Based on longstanding Law and Hundreds of Victories to the contrary, the Supreme Court did not overrule TARIFFS, they merely overruled a particular use of IEEPA TARIFFS. The ability to block, embargo, restrict, license, or impose any other condition on a Foreign Country’s ability to conduct Trade with the United States under IEEPA, has been fully confirmed by this decision. In order to protect our Country, a President can actually charge more TARIFFS than I was charging in the past under the various other TARIFF authorities, which have also been confirmed, and fully allowed. “
Defiant tone, new tariffs announced
Despite the setback, Trump struck a defiant tone, insisting his administration would move forward with new tariffs using alternative legal authorities. Within hours of the ruling, he announced plans to impose a fresh across-the-board 10 per cent tariff, signaling his intent to continue using trade measures as a central tool of economic policy.
“Those members of the Supreme Court who voted against our very acceptable and proper method of TARIFFS should be ashamed of themselves. Their decision was ridiculous but, now the adjustment process begins, and we will do everything possible to take in even more money than we were taking in before!” said Trump.
Trump described tariffs as vital to national security and economic strength, claiming they had helped boost markets, reduce illicit drug flows, and pressure foreign governments.
He also took digs at Democrats saying, “The Democrats on the Court are thrilled, but they will automatically vote “NO” against ANYTHING that makes America Strong and Healthy Again. They, also, are a Disgrace to our Nation. Others think they’re being “politically correct,” which has happened before, far too often, with certain Members of this Court when, in fact, they’re just FOOLS and “LAPDOGS” for the RINOS and Radical Left Democrats and, not that this should have anything to do with it, very unpatriotic, and disloyal to the Constitution.
It is my opinion that the Court has been swayed by Foreign Interests, and a Political Movement that is far smaller than people would think — But obnoxious, ignorant, and loud!”
Markets and global trade face renewed uncertainty
The ruling and Trump’s swift response injected fresh uncertainty into global markets and trade relations. Businesses and trading partners now face questions about the scope and legality of future US tariff actions, as well as the broader direction of American trade policy under Trump’s leadership.
While the court’s decision represents a significant legal constraint on presidential tariff powers, Trump made clear that his administration would explore “methods, practices, statutes, and other authorities” to continue imposing trade barriers.
The confrontation marks one of the most direct clashes between Trump and the Supreme Court, underscoring the high stakes surrounding tariffs and executive power in shaping US economic strategy.
