Judge Deals Major Blow to Newsom’s Lawsuit Against Trump Tariffs — Case Dismissed in Stunning Ruling
President Donald J. Trump scored a decisive legal victory this week as a federal judge in San Francisco dismissed California’s lawsuit challenging his administration’s tariffs—handing Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta a sharp defeat in their political war against Trump’s America First trade policies.
Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley, a Biden appointee, ruled Monday that California lacked standing to bring the case, effectively dismissing the lawsuit in its entirety and refusing to transfer it to another court, as requested by Newsom’s legal team.
Filed in April, the suit sought to overturn Trump’s tariffs enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—a statute that gives the president broad authority to respond to national emergencies. Newsom and Bonta argued that Trump had overstepped his powers by enacting the tariffs without explicit congressional approval.
The Trump administration strongly defended the move, citing the urgent need to address chronic trade deficits and protect American industries from hostile foreign competition.
Corley’s Ruling Blocks California — For Now
Rather than transfer the case to the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, Judge Corley simply dismissed it, a move that surprised some observers and now sets the stage for an appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals—a court known for its liberal leanings.
“Today, our lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s disastrous and illegal tariffs was allowed to remain in California pending our incoming appeal,”
— California Attorney General Rob Bonta
Bonta claimed the ruling provides an opening to appeal in more favorable territory. But make no mistake—the dismissal is a clear loss for the California Democrats, who have made a political career out of opposing President Trump at every turn.
“Trump doesn’t have the authority to impose these destructive tariffs — the International Emergency Economic Powers Act simply does not authorize tariffs,”
— Bonta continued in a statement
Newsom’s press office, scrambling for spin, posted on X:
“It was dismissed on procedural grounds. We disagree — as did a federal court in D.C. — and have already appealed.”
Trump Tariffs Reinstated After Appeals Court Stay
Adding to California’s woes, a federal appeals court on Thursday temporarily reinstated Trump’s 10% tariffs after pausing an earlier order that had blocked them.
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a stay that restored the tariffs while it considers the Trump administration’s appeal. Earlier in the day, Trump’s legal team had urged the Court of International Trade to delay enforcement of its anti-tariff ruling, warning of a looming “foreign policy disaster.”
Last week, a three-judge panel in New York ruled that the global tariffs were “contrary to law”—but their decision was swiftly challenged by Trump’s Department of Justice, which emphasized the tariffs’ role in protecting U.S. national security and diplomatic leverage.
“To avoid immediate irreparable harm to United States foreign policy and national security,”
— DOJ filing on Thursday
Trump Fires Back: “Is It Purely Hatred of TRUMP?”
Never one to remain silent, President Trump blasted the court’s earlier ruling, questioning the motives of the judges involved.
“Where do these initial three Judges come from? How is it possible for them to have potentially done such damage to the United States of America? Is it purely a hatred of ‘TRUMP?’ What other reason could it be?”
— President Donald J. Trump on Truth Social
While the legal battle isn’t over, Monday’s ruling from Judge Corley and Thursday’s federal stay represent a double victory for President Trump’s trade team—and a significant setback for the Democrat legal machine trying to dismantle his America First legacy.