‘What the hell is going on?’ : Donald Trump is, like, baffled by the Supreme Court tariff case and calls the whole thing ‘ridiculous’
The Supreme Court on Nov. 5 questioned whether the sweeping tariff imposed by Trump is permitted under IEEPA without Congressional authorization. So, Trump decided to reply with a public tantrum. His “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON???” blast on Truth Social reads like pure panic.
Trump erupted on Truth Social with another all-caps outrage after Supreme Court justices pressed him about his tariff authority. “Businesses are pouring into the USA ONLY BECAUSE OF TARIFFS. HAS THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT NOT BEEN TOLD THIS??? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON???” he thundered.
The timing of Trump’s rant is raising eyebrows before the actual post. The court hearing happened on Nov. 5, but Trump is posting his rant five days later. That suggests either inside info or an attempt at narrative control. When the facts don’t support your argument, you scream louder. But let’s unpack what’s really going on here.
Trump cited the IEEPA to defend the tariff, but SCOTUS isn’t convinced
The solicitor general defended Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to slap tariffs on countries. But the courtroom told a different story. The question is currently on two sets of tariffs imposed by Trump. One is tied to fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration, which affects imports from China, Canada, and Mexico. Another is the “reciprocal” tariffs on imports from most countries.
The Trump administration justified these by claiming persistent trade deficits and alleged threats to national security and the economy. But the Supreme Court remained skeptical of Trump’s claim to authority to impose these tariffs.
According to the official documents, the IEEPA empowers the president to “issue instructions, licenses or otherwise,” to “investigate, regulate or prohibit” imports of “property in which any foreign country or a national thereof has any interest.” That is, during a declared national emergency. But, it does not mention “tariffs,” “duties,” or “taxes” (via Lexology).
Trump can’t wrap his head around SC’s logic
The SC justices have called the tariffs more akin to taxes, a power safely lodged with Congress under Article I. Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized that imposing tariffs looks very much like exercising the taxing power, not merely regulating trade. In fact, lower courts have already found that IEEPA does not grant authority to implement broad tariffs. But, Trump cannot believe it.
“So, let’s get this straight??? The President of the United States is allowed (and fully approved by Congress!) to stop ALL TRADE with a Foreign Country (Which is far more onerous than a Tariff!), and LICENSE a Foreign Country, but is not allowed to put a simple Tariff on a Foreign Country, even for purposes of NATIONAL SECURITY.” (via Truth Social)
The government claimed that “regulate importation” equates to unrestricted tariff authority. But several justices cited past statutory frameworks to rebut their claim. This includes the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and the Trade Act of 1974, which imposed explicit constraints on tariffs.
Former VP Mike Pence also slammed Trump
Mike Pence also came forward to give a constitutional reality check to the Trump administration amid the hearing. “American businesses and American consumers pay American tariffs … American people are troubled about those prices at the grocery store,” he said. The argument is simple, yet it flies right past Trump’s head. Tariffs don’t just come from abroad; they land on U.S. citizens.
The heated case also links directly to Trump’s recent promise of a $2,000 “tariff dividend.” If the Court clamps down on IEEPA authority, the base for that dividend collapses. But if the Court sides with Trump, the expansion of executive power could justify more tariffs.
At its core, this clash isn’t just legal. It’s a showdown of the constitutional guardrails against Trump’s authoritarian dreams. And Trump’s panic posts are the echo of that collision. His authority is being tested, so his ego is bruised.
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