Statement on Today’s Supreme Court Ruling on the Trump Administration’s Tariffs

The Society for the Rule of Law Institute welcomes today’s ruling in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, striking down the president’s illegal tariffs. Today’s ruling is a victory not just for the plaintiffs in the case, but for the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the American people whose liberty and prosperity depend on those principles. We condemn the president and other senior officials who have recklessly attacked and demeaned the Court and its members in an effort to undermine the essential independence of the judiciary. We commend the Justices, and all our federal judges, who continue to do their duty unbowed by pressure.

We agree with the Court and Chief Justice that “longstanding executive-legislative collaboration over trade policy” should not be replaced with “unchecked Presidential policymaking.” We are pleased that arguments regarding constitutional checks on the President’s power, as advanced in amicus briefs signed on to individually by numerous members of the Society for the Rule of Law and by the Society for the Rule of Law Institute, were vindicated by the Court’s decision. We also congratulate Society for the Rule of Law Charter Member Professor Ilya Somin on his invaluable role as counsel for the plaintiffs.