Lawyers for Civil Rights released the following statements in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on tariffs:
U.S. Supreme Court Rebukes Unilateral Executive Power
Lawyers for Civil Rights applauds today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision rebuking President Trump’s tariffs. This is a welcome reprieve not just for trade policy, but for our constitutional democracy.
The Supreme Court rejected the Trump Administration’s argument that a president has unilateral and unreviewable power whenever he invokes an “emergency.” The Court reaffirmed a bedrock principle: the president doesn’t get a blank check, especially not without clear Congressional authorization.
The impact of the tariff decision is far-reaching because the Trump Administration has repeatedly argued that once an emergency is declared, sweeping authority follows—and that even courts should step aside. The Supreme Court squarely rejected this argument, making clear that emergencies don’t create carve-outs from meaningful judicial review.
In recent years, we have seen the Trump Administration use purported “emergencies” to justify expansive executive action not just on tariffs, but also at the border, in public health, and in national security. Today’s decision provides an essential counterbalance: no one is above the Constitution. Presidential power is not self-expanding. It is defined, limited, and reviewable.
Lawyers for Civil Rights will continue to litigate against federal overreach to protect families and communities.
Unexcusable Attacks on the Supreme Court
Lawyers for Civil Rights condemns the Trump Administration’s attacks on the legitimacy of the U.S. Supreme Court and its justices.
The language coming from the White House is deeply troubling. Personal attacks and insinuations of foreign influence strike at the heart of judicial independence. They erode confidence in the Court’s ability to deliberate fairly and to rule without fear or favor.
Disagreement with a ruling or an outcome does not justify questioning the authority or integrity of the Supreme Court. Public officials are free to criticize court decisions, but the bottom line remains: the Constitution does not allow any president to wield unilateral and unreviewable power.
That is at the core of today’s landmark decision: presidential power is not self-expanding. It is defined, limited, and reviewable. The president doesn’t get a blank check on tariffs or anything else.
The Supreme Court has the authority—and the duty—to review sweeping claims of executive power. That is not an inconvenience or a weakness. It’s a strength.
Respect for judicial independence is essential to preserving stability, institutional confidence, the rule of law, and access to justice.