McConnell Praises SCOTUS Ruling Against Trump’s Authority on Tariffs

Sen. Mitch McConnell said Friday that the Supreme Court’s 6–3 ruling limiting President Donald J. Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs serves as a constitutional reminder that Congress holds primary authority over taxes and trade.

In a statement released after the decision, McConnell said the justices “reaffirmed authority that has rested with Congress for centuries,” following the Court’s conclusion that key Trump administration tariffs were unlawfully imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), according to Newsmax.

The Court ruled that IEEPA does not authorize a president to enact broad-based tariffs. Chief Justice John Roberts authored the majority opinion in Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump, concluding that the statute’s emergency powers do not extend to sweeping trade levies.

McConnell responded by underscoring Congress’s Article I authority.

“Congress’ role in trade policy, as I have warned repeatedly, is not an inconvenience to avoid. If the executive would like to enact trade policies that impact American producers and consumers, its path forward is crystal clear: convince their representatives under Article I,” McConnell said.

The Kentucky Republican was among four GOP senators who previously supported a resolution calling on the administration to roll back certain tariffs. In October, McConnell joined Sens. Susan Collins, Rand Paul, and Lisa Murkowski in voting for a measure urging repeal of tariffs on foreign nations. The resolution passed 51–47 on Oct. 30 amid mounting concerns from some businesses and consumers.

President Trump, however, moved swiftly after the Court’s decision. Rejecting the use of IEEPA as the legal basis, the administration issued a new executive order imposing a 10 percent global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows tariffs of up to 15 percent for 150 days to address “large and serious” trade deficits.

In a Saturday post on Truth Social, President Trump signaled he may raise the rate to the full 15 percent permitted under that authority.

Speaking to reporters in the White House briefing room, the president sharply criticized members of the Court — including two Trump-appointed justices — who joined the majority.

On Friday, Trump wrote that the justices who ruled against him “should be ashamed of themselves,” while making clear he intends to continue pursuing alternative avenues to advance his America First trade agenda.

The ruling affirmed Congress’s constitutional authority over federal taxation, with six justices joining the majority opinion.

Meanwhile, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) suggested Congress may seek to challenge the newly announced tariffs.

“It may not have a veto-proof majority, but it will have a majority that will go against that 10 percent global tariff, so I think the president is making a mistake here,” Bacon told CNN.

Earlier this month, the House voted on a resolution to repeal tariffs on Canada, with six Republican lawmakers — including Bacon — siding with Democrats.

“Bottom line is any tariff that the president wants to do has to go through Congress and be approved. That’s the bottom line from this ruling, and I agree with that,” Bacon said.

“That’s what the founders wanted, and that’s what Republicans should want. We have long held this view. Just because President Trump disagrees shouldn’t change what Republicans believe in,” he added.

Despite opposition from some Republicans and Democrats, the Trump administration has signaled it will continue using every available legal tool to confront trade imbalances and protect American industry.

For President Trump and his supporters, the Supreme Court’s ruling is not the end of the fight — but a constitutional hurdle to navigate as the administration doubles down on restoring U.S. economic sovereignty.