Five small businesses filed suit against President Trump in the U.S. Court of International Trade, challenging his recently imposed tariffs as an illegal usurpation of Congress’s power to levy taxes. The suit argues that Trump’s declaration of a trade deficit emergency, used to justify the tariffs under the IEEPA, is unfounded and that the act does not grant him such unilateral authority. The Liberty Justice Center, representing the plaintiffs, contends that the tariffs, impacting businesses nationwide, are economically devastating and based on a fabricated crisis. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the tariffs, emphasizing the principle of “no taxation without representation.”
Read More
The New Civil Liberties Alliance, backed by Leonard Leo and Charles Koch, is challenging Donald Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), arguing this application is unlawful. The suit, filed on behalf of a Florida-based importer, contends that the president overstepped his authority and that tariff power resides with Congress, citing potential conflicts with Supreme Court precedents. This action reflects growing right-wing opposition to Trump’s tariffs, with some Republicans expressing economic concerns and supporting legislative efforts to limit the president’s tariff-imposing power. The alliance argues that the tariffs’ purported connection to the fentanyl crisis is insufficient justification.
Read More
The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) is challenging the Trump administration’s tariffs on Chinese imports, arguing that their imposition via the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) constitutes an unconstitutional overreach of executive power. The lawsuit claims that the IEEPA, intended for swift responses to international economic crises, does not grant the president authority to unilaterally levy tariffs, a power reserved for Congress. The NCLA asserts that the tariffs are not only unauthorized but also lack a demonstrable connection to the declared national emergency, specifically citing the discrepancy between the stated opioid crisis and the broad-based tariff implementation. The group seeks a court order declaring the tariffs unlawful and halting their enforcement.
Read More
Pence’s characterization of Trump’s tariffs as the “largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history” is a striking statement, one that cleverly highlights the significant economic impact of these policies. The inherent boldness of this claim lies in its direct challenge to the prevailing narrative surrounding the tariffs, often portrayed as a necessary tool for economic protectionism.
This phrasing subtly underscores the unprecedented nature of the tax increase, emphasizing its scale and the lack of wartime justification. It effectively frames the issue as one of domestic policy, rather than a necessary response to external threats, as Trump himself might argue. The implicit criticism of the administration’s approach is clear, highlighting a potential deviation from traditional Republican fiscal policies.… Continue reading
President Trump’s economic policies, particularly his use of tariffs, are negatively impacting the American economy, causing market drops and increased prices for consumers. His erratic behavior and refusal to heed warnings from economists and voters are exacerbating the situation. Congress, specifically Republicans, possesses the power to curb Trump’s tariff authority by repealing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), but a lack of political will prevents action. Failure to act will likely harm the Republican Party’s electoral prospects in future elections.
Read More
President-elect Trump is considering invoking the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify widespread tariffs on both allies and adversaries, aiming to reshape global trade. This action would grant him broad authority to implement tariffs without needing to demonstrate national security concerns, a feature appealing to Trump. Alternative legal avenues, including sections 338 and 301 of US trade law, are also under consideration, but IEEPA offers a faster route to implementing tariffs. While no final decision has been made, the potential for a national economic emergency declaration is actively being discussed.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood