Appeals court kills Trump tariffs as "illegal" executive overreach

President Trump asked the Supreme Court on Sep. 2, 2025, for an expedited ruling to overturn a 7-4 Federal Circuit decision that found most of his tariffs are illegal under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled on Aug. 29, 2025, that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not grant presidents unlimited authority to impose global tariffs of unspecified duration

Trump warned at the White House that America could become a third-world country without tariffs and claimed the stock market was falling because investors want the tariffs to continue

The appeals court delayed its ruling from taking effect until Oct. 14, 2025, allowing the Trump administration time to file a Supreme Court appeal while tariffs remain in place

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent filed a declaration with the Supreme Court citing the importance of a quick ruling to avoid disrupting ongoing diplomatic trade negotiations with foreign partners

Solicitor General D. John Sauer asked the justices to fast-track consideration with oral arguments as early as Nov. 2025, requiring the Court to decide by next week whether to hear the case

The case represents a fundamental test of presidential emergency powers, with legal experts predicting the conservative 6-3 Supreme Court majority may restore broad executive authority over trade policy that lower courts have restricted