Donald Trump on Friday railed against the supreme court justices that blocked his use of tariffs, calling the decision a “disgrace to the nation” and claiming he plans to impose even more tariffs under other statutory authorities.
“It’s my opinion that the court has been swayed by foreign interests and a political movement that is far smaller than people would ever think,” the president said during remarks from the White House. He cast that influence as social and cultural. “I’m ashamed of certain members of the court. Absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country.”
He praised the three justices who dissented in the opinion – Brett Kavanaugh who wrote the main dissent, joined by justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. The others – including two of his appointees, Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch – drew his derision.
“They’re just being fools and lapdogs for the Rinos [Republicans in name only] and the radical left Democrats, and not that they should have anything at all to do with it,” Trump said. “They’re very unpatriotic and disloyal to our constitution.”
Referring to Barrett and Gorsuch, he described them as “an embarrassment to their families” and said they were “barely” invited to the State of the Union address next week.
Asked for evidence of foreign influence over the supreme court, Trump replied: “You’re going to find out.”
Trump said he will immediately sign an order increasing tariffs globally by 10% under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 and will begin investigations of unfair trade practices allowing further tariffs. He asserted that he has the authority to impose additional tariffs under existing statutes without referring to congressional approval.
“I wanted to be a good boy,” Trump said, describing his relative restraint in issuing tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump said that tariffs under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 will remain “in place and in full force and effect.”
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