Rep. Garamendi Statement on Supreme Court Striking Down Trump’s Tariffs After Filing Amicus Brief

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s tariffs, ruling that President Trump violated federal law by exceeding his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA): 

“Trump thinks he is above the law, Congress, and the Constitution. That belief was tested on Friday,” said Rep. Garamendi. “Americans have been struggling to put food on the table and keep up with the unaffordable prices caused by Trump’s illegal tariff wars. This ruling is a major win for Americans who are struggling to afford basic necessities. As a member of the House Democratic Litigation Caucus, I was proud to sign onto the amicus brief challenging Trump’s illegal tariffs.” 

As a member of the House Democratic Litigation Caucus, Congressman Garamendi signed an amicus brief demanding that the Supreme Court overturn Trump’s costly and illegal tariffs. 

The House Democratic Litigation Task Force, was established to develop coordinated legislative, oversight, and legal strategies to defend the Constitution and protect the rights of the American people. To date, the Task Force has filed dozens of amicus briefs, launched numerous privileged resolutions of inquiry, conducted more than 10 shadow hearings and briefings nationwide, issued hundreds of investigative demands, and supported numerous lawsuits brought by third parties. 

Background: 

On April 23, 2025, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont filed the suit in the U.S. Court of International Trade, arguing that the President had exceeded his authority under IEEPA. 

The case challenged the President’s use of IEEPA to impose broad tariffs on imports, arguing that statute does not delegate Congress’s tariff powers under Article I of the U.S. Constitution. 

The tariffs at issue included sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs on nearly all imports, as well as targeted tariffs affecting Canada, Mexico, and China, among others. 

In May 2025, the United States Court of International Trade ruled in favor of the states, finding the tariffs exceeded the President’s authority under IEEPA. 

The federal government appealed against that ruling. On August 29, 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed that ruling—finding the President’s tariff orders went beyond the statutory grant of authority and were therefore unlawful. 

###