r/politics • u/Mason_Miami • 1d ago

Conservative group claims Trump's tariffs illegally usurp powers of Congress

https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/this-unlawful-impost-must-fall-conservative-group-sues-trump-claiming-tariffs-are-unconstitutional-exercise-of-legislative-power/
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126

u/Gadshill 1d ago

Sounds like an impeachable offense. You guys game for that?

50

u/mmmsoap 1d ago

Except it’s not illegal. Congress removed their own power to approve/dissent on tariffs until like 2026 with the Continuing Resolution.

23

u/PluginAlong 1d ago

Exactly, now they just need to take that power back. They're just worried that Elon will fun a primary candidate against them.

9

u/EWAINS25 1d ago

If it goes as well as Elon’s last funding, I’d take that bet!

10

u/ReasonableWerewolf10 Indiana 1d ago

exactly, they shot themselves in the foot lol

1

u/Melody-Prisca 16h ago

It is illegal. No honest interpretation of the law would say these tariffs were in response to an emergency, which is the only way the president can lawfully enact tariffs without Congress. Just because Congress is abdicating it's duty doesn't mean what Trump is doing is lawful.

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u/Ashamed_Ad_8365 16h ago edited 15h ago

It is illegal.

Trump is quoting the 1977 IEEPA to justify these tariffs, but:

- IEEPA was NEVER used to impose tariffs. In fact it does not mention tariffs at all, tariffs are a tax and the IEEPA is not about taxation at all

- Trade deficits are not an a 'threat', like the law requires

- Even if they were a threat, they are not a 'extraordinary, unusual' one, like the law requires

- Even if they were a extraordinary, unusual threat, Trump is also imposing tariffs on countries with which the US has a trade surplus, or which impose themselves 0 tariffs.

This is illegal on so many levels, blatantly so.

Congress can take its power back, but these tariffs are illegal regardless of that, and that's a matter for the judiciary.