Dems crow as Trump tariffs topple, split GOP reaction

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Democratic Congressional lawmakers cheer for and some Republican members agree with the Supreme Court’s Friday ruling striking down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs enacted last April.

GOP leaders however vowed find a solution to the decision.

In a 6-3 ruling the Supreme Court justices rejected Trump’s invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose his “reciprocal tariffs” on dozens of nations. The IEEPA, enacted in the 1970s, gives the president the authority to “regulate” international commerce due to an “unusual and extraordinary” threat posed by a national emergency.

“We claim no special competence in matters of economics or foreign affairs,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion.

“We claim only, as we must, the limited role assigned to us by Article III of the Constitution. Fulfilling that role, we hold that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs.”

Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) applauded the Supreme Court’s decision, effectively ending Trump’s ongoing tariff campaign.

“The Supreme Court decision striking down the harmful Trump Tariffs is a big victory for the American people,” Jeffries said. “And another crushing defeat for the wannabe King.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called the SCOTUS ruling a “victory for the wallets” of every American.

“Trump’s illegal tariff tax just collapsed—He tried to govern by decree and stuck families with the bill,” Schumer wrote on X. “Enough chaos. End the trade war.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said that the Supreme Court ruling can not undue the “massive damage” already done to consumers.

“The American people paid for these tariffs and the American people should get their money back,” Warren wrote on X.

Meanwhile Republican leaders like Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Sen. John Thune (R-SD) have vowed ton continued working the Trump administration in carrying out its tariff agenda.

“Tariffs can be an important and effective tool to address unfair trade practices and help level the playing field with foreign competitors,” Thune wrote on X. “Senate Republicans will continue working with the administration and our colleagues in the House to advance our shared goal to strengthen rural America, including South Dakota’s farm and ranch communities, and the broader U.S. economy.”

Johnson took in a step further, saying how beneficial Trump’s tariff have been for the economy.

“No one can deny that the President’s use of tariffs has brought in billions of dollars and created immense leverage for America’s trade strategy and for securing strong, reciprocal America-first trade agreements with countries that had been taking advantage of American workers for decades,” Johnson wrote on X. “Congress and the Administration will determine the best path forward in the coming weeks.

But other Republicans backed the ruling.

“In defense of our Republic, the Supreme Court struck down using emergency powers to enact taxes,” Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). “This ruling will also prevent a future President such as AOC from using emergency powers to enact socialism.”

And Rep. Don Bacon, who bucked his party last week in an effort to end Trump’s tariffs on Canada, said he felt “vindicated” by the ruling in an interview with Politico.

“The checks and balances our Constitution puts in place works,” Bacon said. “I feel vindicated.”