Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said Wednesday that many Republicans are privately hoping the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down President Donald Trump’s use of tariffs, calling them a political and economic “nightmare.” His comments came during an interview on CNN’s Inside Politics following oral arguments over the legality of Trump’s tariff authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
Trump’s tariffs, implemented during his first term and reinstated after his 2024 victory, have targeted nations like China in an effort to protect American industries and reduce trade deficits. The legality of these measures is now being tested before the high court, which is examining whether IEEPA gives the president the authority to impose tariffs during non-military emergencies.
Raskin argued that even conservative justices such as Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, and Chief Justice John Roberts expressed “serious skepticism” over the administration’s interpretation of IEEPA. He said the law does not mention tariffs and that no prior president had used it in that context.
The case centers on whether the president has unilateral constitutional authority to impose tariffs or if such powers are strictly limited by statute. Raskin said the argument that IEEPA grants such power “tested the credulity of the court” and suggested justices were not inclined to accept it.
Raskin further claimed that shifting political dynamics have led many Republicans to now oppose the tariffs they once supported, due to their economic impact. “A lot of Republicans are hoping the court strikes it down,” he said, citing the political liabilities associated with rising consumer prices and strained international trade relationships.
The court’s decision could have major implications for the scope of presidential economic power, especially as Trump continues to push aggressive trade policies aimed at boosting American manufacturing and protecting domestic jobs.
