Washington, D.C., February 21, 2026 — President Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on the U.S. Supreme Court following its landmark 6-3 ruling on Friday that struck down much of his sweeping global tariffs agenda, calling the decision "deeply disappointing" and expressing that he was "absolutely ashamed" of certain justices who sided against him.
In a fiery White House press briefing shortly after the ruling was announced, Trump described the court's decision as a "disgrace to the nation" and accused some justices of lacking "the courage to do what's right for our country." He singled out the majority — which included Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, and the three liberal justices — for what he portrayed as disloyalty, labeling them "unpatriotic" and suggesting they were influenced by unspecified foreign interests.
The Supreme Court held that Trump exceeded his authority by invoking the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) — a law intended for national emergencies involving foreign threats — to impose broad tariffs on imports from nearly every trading partner. These included a 10% baseline "global tariff" (often referred to as "Liberation Day" tariffs) and higher targeted duties on countries like China, Canada, Mexico, the European Union, Japan, and South Korea. The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice Roberts, emphasized that IEEPA does not authorize the president to levy tariffs, as that power belongs to Congress under the Constitution.
The ruling invalidates a core pillar of Trump's second-term economic and foreign policy strategy, which he has promoted as essential for protecting American jobs, addressing trade imbalances, and combating issues like fentanyl trafficking. The government has collected an estimated $160–200 billion in such tariffs since their implementation, with potential refunds now looming for importers — a process the court remanded to lower courts without specifying outcomes.
Trump, undeterred, vowed to circumvent the decision through alternative legal authorities. He announced plans to immediately sign an executive order imposing a new 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows temporary duties (up to 150 days) without congressional approval in certain circumstances. "I have backup plans — methods that are even stronger available," Trump declared, insisting he retains broad power to act on trade. He also warned that without tariffs, the U.S. could face severe economic consequences, and hinted at even more aggressive measures, stating he could "destroy" trade relations with other countries via embargoes if needed, though he could not "charge them a dollar in tariffs."
The decision drew praise from anti-tariff Republicans and Democrats alike, who viewed it as a check on executive overreach and a potential relief for consumers facing higher prices from the duties. Critics of the tariffs have long argued they act as a tax on American businesses and households. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called it the "collapse of Trump's illegal tariff tax," while some GOP figures quietly welcomed the off-ramp from a policy seen as politically risky.
Trump congratulated the dissenting justices — Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh — for supporting his position. The ruling marks a rare instance where the conservative-led Supreme Court has rebuked Trump's expansive use of executive power in his second term.
Markets reacted with volatility on Friday, with stocks dipping amid uncertainty over future trade policy, though some analysts noted potential long-term benefits from reduced tariff burdens. The administration has signaled it will pursue refunds minimally and shift focus to new tariff avenues, setting the stage for continued legal and political battles over U.S. trade strategy.
Further developments are expected as the White House finalizes its response and Congress weighs potential legislation to address the vacuum left by the invalidated tariffs.
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