Court Block on Trump Tariffs Paused: White House Seeks Supreme Court Help

The Trump administration has secured a crucial temporary reprieve in its legal fight to maintain its far-reaching tariff policies, as an appeals court has paused a ruling that declared the tariffs unlawful. This pause provides a much-needed window for the White House to prepare its defense, with officials indicating they are prepared to take the case to the Supreme Court if necessary. The original ruling by the Court of International Trade had thrown the future of Trump’s trade agenda into serious doubt.
The legal challenge to Trump’s tariffs stems from arguments that he overstepped his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs without congressional approval. The court specifically stated that the trade levies were “impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because [federal law] does not allow it,” highlighting a focus on the legality of the president’s actions rather than their economic wisdom.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has strongly criticized the judiciary, calling the ruling an abuse of judicial power and suggesting that the Supreme Court must ultimately intervene. The ongoing legal saga underscores the deep divisions over trade policy and the scope of presidential authority.