US President Donald Trump praised Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh after the justice dissented in a landmark ruling limiting Trump’s tariff authority.
In a post on his Truth Social platform Saturday morning, Trump wrote: “My new hero is United States Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and, of course, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.” He added, “There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that they want to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
All three conservative justices were in the minority in the court’s 6–3 decision.
Supreme Court blocks Trump’s tariff powers
The Supreme Court of the United States voted 6–3 on Friday (February 21) to block President Trump from using sweeping tariff powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The ruling rejected Trump’s effort to impose broad import levies by declaring national emergencies related to illicit drug flows and trade deficits, curbing his attempt to bypass Congress.
Kavanaugh calls ruling “illogical”
Justice Brett Kavanaugh authored a dissent criticizing the majority’s interpretation of the law.
“As they interpret the statute, the President could, for example, block all imports from China but cannot order even a $1 tariff on goods imported from China,” Kavanaugh wrote. “That approach doesn’t make much sense.”
He also warned the decision could trigger major financial consequences.
“The United States may be required to refund billions of dollars to importers who paid the IEEPA tariffs,” Kavanaugh wrote, adding that the refund process is likely to be a “mess.”
Trump’s emergency justification rejected
Trump had invoked the IEEPA, arguing that illicit drugs from China, Mexico, and Canada — along with the US trade deficit — constituted national emergencies requiring immediate action.
By relying on emergency powers, Trump sought to impose tariffs without congressional approval, asserting executive authority to protect national security and economic interests.
New tariff plan under different law
Following the ruling, Trump announced Saturday (February 22) that he would raise the global tariff rate to 15%, up from the 10% rate unveiled Friday.
This time, he cited Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 as the legal basis for the new tariff, signaling a shift in strategy after the court blocked his use of IEEPA authority.
