Appeals Court Hands Trump Administration A Major Victory On Tariffs

President Trump’s tariffs are staying in place—for now—after a federal appeals court hit pause on a lower court decision that had blocked them. The legal battle centers on whether Trump had the authority to use emergency powers to impose these tariffs, with both sides preparing for a full court hearing next month.

Key Facts:

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a stay on a lower court ruling that had blocked Trump-era tariffs.
The case challenges Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify the tariffs.
The stay keeps the tariffs in place pending a full review by the entire panel of judges in an en banc session.
Oral arguments are scheduled for July 31 at the Federal Circuit courthouse in Washington, D.C.
The Liberty Justice Center, representing small businesses, criticized the stay but welcomed the expedited review.

The Rest of The Story:

The legal battle over former President Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs has taken another turn.

A federal appeals court granted a stay that allows the tariffs to remain while the case is reviewed.

The case was initially brought by five small businesses and a group of states who argued Trump overstepped his authority under the IEEPA.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Court of International Trade sided with the plaintiffs, issuing an order to block the tariffs.

That decision is now on hold.

The appeals court stated that both parties had raised significant legal arguments, justifying a stay to maintain the status quo.

The decision to hear the case en banc, with all active judges, signals the court’s view that the issue is of exceptional importance.

White House spokesman Kush Desai defended the administration’s actions, saying the tariffs addressed national emergencies involving trade deficits and drug trafficking.

“The Trump administration is legally using the powers granted to the executive branch by the Constitution and Congress,” Desai told Fox News Digital.

Commentary:

President Trump was elected to protect American workers and industries, and that’s exactly what his administration did with these tariffs.

The idea that a handful of small businesses and activist judges can derail a national trade strategy is both dangerous and absurd.

Emergency powers exist for moments like this—when the nation’s long-term security and prosperity are at stake.

Trade deficits and foreign economic manipulation aren’t minor policy debates.

They’re serious national threats, and they demand strong action.

If unelected judges continue to second-guess the executive branch in areas clearly delegated by law, we’re setting a precedent that cripples future administrations.

This is why the appellate court’s stay was the right call.

It keeps the president’s policies in effect while the full court has its say.

The IEEPA gives presidents broad authority to act swiftly in times of economic crisis or foreign aggression.

That’s what Trump did.

These tariffs are a defensive measure against years of unfair trade practices that have hollowed out American manufacturing.

Activist lawyers may want to twist the IEEPA into a narrow box, but that’s not how leadership works.

If the appeals court caves to these arguments, the administration should push back—hard.

A president must never be paralyzed by a courtroom.

We expect the appeals court to rule in favor of the executive branch.

If they don’t, the Supreme Court should take this up immediately.

And if all else fails, the administration has every right to continue defending the nation’s economic interests by enforcing these tariffs, regardless of lower court interference.

The courts were never meant to micromanage national trade policy.

It’s time the judiciary remembers its proper role and stops undermining presidential authority during national emergencies.