In one of the most extraordinary public attacks on the judiciary in recent presidential history, President Trump on Saturday simultaneously announced a 15% global tariff and unleashed devastating personal criticism against two of the Supreme Court justices he himself appointed. The outburst followed a landmark ruling that invalidated his previous tariff authority.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Friday that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose sweeping tariffs was unconstitutional without congressional authorization. Trump responded on Truth Social by invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days without legislative approval. He declared the new rate in effect immediately.
At the White House, Trump told reporters he was “ashamed” of justices who failed to support his trade agenda and lacked the courage to do “what’s right for the country.” He directed his sharpest words at Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch — both his own nominees — calling them “an embarrassment to their families” and saying they were “barely” invited to next week’s State of the Union address.
By contrast, Trump lavished praise on the three dissenters — Kavanaugh, Thomas, and Alito — calling them courageous and patriotic. He accused the majority of being “fools and lapdogs” serving radical political interests rather than the law. Constitutional scholars described the attacks on sitting justices as unusually personal and potentially damaging to institutional norms.
Global trade partners reacted with concern to the tariff hike. Germany’s Merz called for stability and announced a trip to Washington with a unified European stance. The UK’s trade groups warned of economic harm. Approximately 90% of the $130 billion in tariffs collected so far has been absorbed by American businesses and consumers, and the new 15% rate deepens that burden.
Trump Raises Tariffs and Blasts His Own Supreme Court Picks in Extraordinary Outburst
