Overview
- In a 6–3 opinion by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Court held that IEEPA does not authorize broad presidential tariffs, with Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett joining the three liberal justices.
- President Trump denounced the majority, calling Gorsuch and Barrett “an embarrassment to their families,” alleging foreign influence over the Court, and praising dissenters Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito.
- Trump said he will impose a 10% across-the-board tariff under Trade Act Section 122 starting Feb. 24 and initiate Section 301 investigations, steps that face statutory limits and procedural hurdles.
- The ruling leaves refund questions to lower courts and agencies, with the National Retail Federation urging a seamless process and trade experts noting Customs has the data to return substantial sums collected.
- Political and legal fallout escalated as Vice President JD Vance labeled the decision “lawlessness,” conservative legal voices urged Trump to stop smearing the Court, and analyses highlighted divisions among the Court’s conservatives.