The presidential administration of Donald Trump faces legal action from twelve Democratic-controlled states which question his ability to establish wide-ranging trade tariffs because they violate congressional authority over foreign trade. The complaint led by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield aims to stop Trump’s worldwide tariffs which he implemented through a wartime law that enables emergency trade oversight.
The U.S. Court of International Trade received a complaint from twelve states who claim that Trump exceeded his constitutional authority when he unilaterally implemented tariffs on all goods for any declared emergency. Mayes announced that Trump’s tariff policy represents both economic folly and legal illegality. New York Attorney General Letitia James who opposes Trump frequently predicted that the tariffs would lead to higher prices and unemployment as well as economic damage because consumers would pay excessive import fees.
The lawsuit challenges four executive orders which used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to make trade decisions without congressional input during national emergencies. Trump’s declared emergencies regarding immigration violations and fentanyl imports and the national trade deficit do not fulfill the requirement for Congress to remain in control of tax and duty regulation according to Article 1. The lawsuit maintains that these circumstances do not constitute extraordinary threats while challenging the validity of the tariffs imposed.
The White House through Kush Desai condemned the Democratic accusations calling it a witch hunt while Trump faced criticism from Letitia James and other Democrats for ignoring national emergencies. According to Desai the Trump Administration will use all available legal tools to address three critical national emergencies which include illegal migration fentanyl and the expanding trade deficit.
The legal challenge against the administration’s trade authority emerges at a time when Congress works together to take back its power to conduct foreign commerce. The new bipartisan legislation proposed by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) demands that presidents must notify Congress about upcoming tariffs at least 48 hours before their implementation.
The states have filed this lawsuit because Trump’s tariffs have created economic uncertainty which makes businesses and consumers worried about recession and supply chain interruptions. Through this legal action states seek to establish congressional control over trade policies while protecting consumers and businesses from tariff-related consequences. This ongoing court case will establish guidelines for U.S. trade policy which will directly affect the economic plans of Trump’s administration.
Filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, the complaint accuses Trump of disrupting the constitutional order by claiming unchecked power to impose tariffs on any goods for any declared emergency. “Trump’s tariff scheme is not only economically reckless—it is illegal,” Mayes stated. New York Attorney General Letitia James, a frequent Trump critic, warned that the tariffs would drive inflation, unemployment, and economic harm, with U.S. consumers bearing the cost of what she called steep import taxes.
The lawsuit targets four executive orders invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which permits trade decisions without congressional approval during national emergencies. The states argue that Trump’s cited “emergencies”—including illegal migration, fentanyl flows, and the U.S. trade deficit—do not justify bypassing Congress’ constitutional power to regulate taxes and duties under Article 1. “These are not extraordinary or unusual threats,” the complaint asserts, labeling the tariffs an unlawful overreach.
White House spokesman Kush Desai defended the tariffs, accusing Democrats like James of launching a “witch hunt” against Trump instead of addressing national crises. “The Trump Administration is committed to using its full legal authority to confront emergencies like illegal migration, fentanyl, and the exploding trade deficit,” Desai said.
The legal action coincides with bipartisan efforts in Congress to reclaim trade authority. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) have co-sponsored legislation requiring presidents to notify Congress 48 hours before imposing new tariffs, signaling growing concern over executive overreach.
The lawsuit reflects broader anxieties about the economic fallout from Trump’s tariffs, which have sparked fears of recession and supply chain disruptions. By challenging the legal basis of these measures, the states aim to restore congressional oversight and mitigate the tariffs’ impact on consumers and businesses. As the case unfolds, it could set a precedent for the balance of power in U.S. trade policy, with significant implications for Trump’s economic agenda.
