President Donald Trump is pushing back hard against a recent court decision that blocked his administration’s sweeping tariffs, accusing legal insiders and even some of his former allies of sabotaging U.S. trade policy from behind the scenes.
Following a federal ruling that declared his “Liberation Day” tariffs unconstitutional, Trump took to social media to denounce what he called “backroom hustlers” within the judicial system. He singled out Judge Timothy Reif — a Trump appointee — for siding with arguments that the president lacked the authority to impose broad tariffs without congressional approval.
Trump also took aim at the Federalist Society and co-chair Leonard Leo, who had previously influenced many of his judicial appointments. He expressed regret over relying on their guidance, claiming they failed to stand by core conservative principles when it mattered most.
Despite the legal setback, an appeals court has allowed the tariffs to remain in place temporarily while the administration prepares its next legal move. Trump’s team is exploring alternative statutes that would permit the tariffs without violating existing limits, including provisions from historical trade acts.
Trump warned that overturning the tariff policy could cost the United States billions in revenue and weaken the executive branch’s ability to act decisively on national economic threats. He remains adamant that the tariffs are essential to protecting American industries and restoring fair trade.