Supremes: Most Trump Tariffs Illegal

Friday, February 20, 2026

Delivering a major blow to President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that he exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs using a law reserved for a national emergency.

Posted by lee_the_agent at 10:54 AM | 42 COMMENTS | permalink

The justices, divided 6-3 held that Trump's aggressive approach to tariffs on products entering the United States from across the world was not permitted under a 1977 law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

The ruling was authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, who was joined by three liberal justices and two fellow conservatives, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, in the majority.

Comments

A victory for the plain language of the US Constitution.
A disgrace for Traitorous Thomas, Asshat Alito, and Kavanaugh.

#1 | Posted by YAV at 2026-02-20 10:43 AM

"SCOTUS Declares Most Trump Tariffs Illegal "

A decision which Trump will ignore.

#2 | Posted by censored at 2026-02-20 10:48 AM

Womp womp.

#3 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-20 10:54 AM

Goody-goody gumdrop.

#4 | Posted by Zed at 2026-02-20 10:59 AM

Now the government pays back businesses who will not refund the consumer who actually paid the tariff.
Yet another government payout to businesses at the cost to the people. Maybe was the plan all along.

#5 | Posted by MBlue at 2026-02-20 11:01 AM

They might have mentioned this sooner... before it cost the public 100's of millions of dollars.

I'm pretty sure that Jeffy Turley will be along soon to tell us how the minority rwing Justices were right.

#6 | Posted by Corky at 2026-02-20 11:01 AM

EU carefully analysing' Supreme Court's ruling against Trump's tariffs
www.independent.co.uk

#7 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-02-20 11:03 AM

"Companies that had to pay the tariffs may be able to seek a refund from the Treasury Department."

And the consumers who paid those companies for the products will see none of it. Trump's illegal decree is turning out to be a huge boost to his biggest donors.

#8 | Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2026-02-20 11:04 AM

Was there ever a position taken on a 'National Emergency' that they used to justify the tariffs to begin with?

#9 | Posted by schifferbrains at 2026-02-20 11:10 AM

11:04 AM EST

Stocks rebound from earlier losses after Supreme Court knocks down Trump's emergency tariffs: Live updates

www.cnbc.com

#10 | Posted by Corky at 2026-02-20 11:10 AM

Justices Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh and Samuel Alito dissented.

No surprise these disgraces would go along with the administration.

#11 | Posted by jpw at 2026-02-20 11:12 AM

I'm pretty sure that Jeffy Turley will be along soon to tell us how the minority rwing Justices were right.
#6 | Posted by Corky

LOL

#12 | Posted by jpw at 2026-02-20 11:12 AM

Now throw the fat, demented pedophile in prison where he belongs.

#13 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-02-20 11:27 AM

"emergency". What a pathetic, weak, snowflake of a fat bald pedophile turd.

No wonder Jeffy loves him.

#14 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-02-20 11:37 AM

I guess I shouldn't depend on that tariff dividend check.....Not that I ever did think that would really ever happen though I didn't think this Supreme Court would rule against Trump on anything; glad I was wrong.

#15 | Posted by danni at 2026-02-20 11:40 AM

Trump's sick pride won't allow him to let this stand. We all know that, at this minute, the ketchup is flying at the White House.
,
Trump will have his tariffs despite, amusingly enough, getting rid of them might help his midterm chances.

#16 | Posted by Zed at 2026-02-20 11:40 AM

Kavanaugh, Thomas and Alito are in the Evangelical pedofascist contingency of SCOTUS.

Thomas is alleged to have spent time at Epstein parties, and Kavanaugh was given the rapist pass ... so that tracks. I bet Alito drank infant blood in a Satanic ritual at this point.

Sounds bonkers, but here we are...

#17 | Posted by chuffy at 2026-02-20 11:41 AM

I didn't think this Supreme Court would rule against Trump on anything

#15 | Posted by dann

In regard specifically to Justice Roberts---

The man is at least frightened for himself and his place in current life and American history.

He's trying to stuff that bugger Trump back up the societal nose.

Oh, he's years too late. Now Trump wants his head and may have the power to get it. Now he's already viewed as the worst Supreme Court Justice in History.

I have no pity for the man. Stupidity is a capital offense, as is venal arrogance.

#18 | Posted by Zed at 2026-02-20 11:45 AM

@#8 ... And the consumers who paid those companies for the products will see none of it. Trump's illegal decree is turning out to be a huge boost to his biggest donors. ...

With Trump's tariffs struck down, what happens to the billions collected?
www.scrippsnews.com

... Companies like Costco are filing lawsuits seeking billions in refunds after the Supreme Court struck down Trump tariffs, but the refund process remains unclear. ...

#19 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-02-20 11:55 AM

@#19

Then there are the small Main Street businesses that did not survive the result of the tariffs, and are no longer in business.

#20 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-02-20 11:59 AM

What will be really cool, is when Canada and China and all the other countries that imposed retaliatory tariffs simply keep them in place, and we won't be able to export anything of value...

#21 | Posted by chuffy at 2026-02-20 12:03 PM

Who can still support this bloated, incompetent loser?

#22 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-02-20 12:04 PM

"The Supreme Court may have temporarily ended President Trump's Tariffs, but since our chosen King overrides SCOTUS, thankfully the ruling will be struck down with his congressional approved veto power and then our Liberation Day can continue with our 99 cent gas and free eggs."

-FoxNews

#23 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2026-02-20 12:09 PM

@#21 ... What will be really cool, is when Canada and China and all the other countries that imposed retaliatory tariffs simply keep them in place, and we won't be able to export anything of value... ...

World trade is already being rerouted to bypass the US.

China's overall exports are up recently, even though China exports to the US are down.

Canada and the EU are making trade deals that bypass the US.

Even though Pres Trump's emergency tariffs have been shot down, the results of them are going to be long-lasting.

Just another example of Pres Trump's highly-touted short-term tactical moves with negative long-term consequences.

#24 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-02-20 12:16 PM

Supreme Court rules most of Trumpy's actions are illegal.

Supreme Trumpy passes executive order called "So What?".

#25 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-02-20 12:19 PM

Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh: A REPUBLICAN President can do WHATEVER he wants.

#26 | Posted by Sycophant at 2026-02-20 12:20 PM

Is Justice Pubes' wife plotting another insurrection?

#27 | Posted by Reinheitsgebot at 2026-02-20 12:25 PM

Who can still support this bloated, incompetent loser?

#22 | Posted by LegallyYourDead

Incompetent losers, bloated or otherwise.

#28 | Posted by Zed at 2026-02-20 12:27 PM

Re 21

Sometimes when you start a ridiculous and unnecessary trade war you lose.

When you create conditions where if you win someone has to lose then it's always possible that the loser is gonna be you.

When you create win-win conditions then the rising tide does raise more ships. (Though it still helps to actually afford to have a ship!)

I feel bad for the Ketchup Wall today. (And anyone else who gets in Grumpy Trumpy's way today.)

Looks like someone is about to "go through some things".

#29 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-02-20 12:29 PM

Now will Congress deal with the lopsided tariffs with other nations?

Trade deficits have been a problem for decades.

#30 | Posted by Petrous at 2026-02-20 12:30 PM

First question at work this morning:

What are our plans to refund customers the money we charged them for Tariffs.

Can't you Republicans see how shitty this is for business? We had to scramble to add these tariffs, now we have to scramble to refund them.

Come on, Republicans. Why are you still supporting this disaster of an economic leader? You say you understand business. But you act like complete idiots.

#31 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-20 12:33 PM

Governor Newsom calls for immediate tariff refund checks following Supreme Court ruling against Pedo 47

www.gov.ca.gov

#32 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2026-02-20 12:34 PM

"Trade deficits have been a problem for decades."

And Trump has already made the trade deficit worse.

#33 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-20 12:35 PM

"Trade deficits have been a problem for decades."

Tariffs don't answer that problem.

#34 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-02-20 12:50 PM

Justices Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh and Samuel Alito dissented.

What this shows you is that there are 2-3 votes on SCOTUS for literally anything Trump wants to do. When he illegally interferes with our coming elections, be warned that we are maybe 2 justices away from not having a country anymore.

#35 | Posted by JOE at 2026-02-20 12:50 PM

I see Kavanaugh is getting a lot of (well-deserved) heat for his argument that it would be too messy and complicated to unwind and reverse the illegal tariffs.

It reminds me of the arguments that some people make that actual Marriage Equality would be too complicated if it were extended to traditional Mormons and Muslims and others who practice marriages that aren't considered "normal", even though technically they would fall under the exact same logic as when interracial and gay marriage bans were deemed unconstitutional.

#36 | Posted by sentinel at 2026-02-20 12:51 PM

I was rather surprised by Kavanaugh's position on this, especially since he's ruled against Trump in other cases IIRC. He is quite unpredictable.

#37 | Posted by sentinel at 2026-02-20 12:52 PM

Speculation is brewing that Trump will attack Iran because he lost at the SC.

How freaking predictable of him.

#38 | Posted by Zed at 2026-02-20 12:56 PM

"Now will Congress deal with the lopsided tariffs with other nations?"

Haha, good one!

I think the Supremes were dragging their feet on this in hopes that Congress would actually step in and do their jobs, but nope, they didn't and aren't going to.

#39 | Posted by sentinel at 2026-02-20 12:58 PM

@#29 ... When you create conditions where if you win someone has to lose then it's always possible that the loser is gonna be you.

When you create win-win conditions then the rising tide does raise more ships. ...

Well said.

#40 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-02-20 12:59 PM

But my narrative! How will I cling to it! I'm sure that trump owns the sc!

#41 | Posted by john_savage2 at 2026-02-20 01:01 PM

"I see Kavanaugh is getting a lot of (well-deserved) heat for his argument that it would be too messy and complicated to unwind"

What a coincidence; that's the same reason the Trump DOJ didn't investigate the multiple claims against Keggster.

#42 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-02-20 01:02 PM

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