Trump Attacks Judiciary After Court Blocks Tariffs and Fed Probe

President Donald Trump launched a wide-ranging attack on the U.S. judiciary in March 2026 after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 6-3 that he lacked the executive authority to impose sweeping global tariffs. In the case Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump, the Court determined that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not grant the president taxing power, which the Constitution vests exclusively in Congress. Trump characterized the Court as a "weaponized and unjust Political Organization" and stated that appointees Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett "sicken me" for their roles in the decision. In response, the administration shifted to using Section 122 and Section 301 of the Trade Act to implement new tariffs.

Simultaneously, Trump targeted Chief Judge James E. Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Boasberg quashed Department of Justice subpoenas targeting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over headquarters renovation costs, ruling there was "essentially zero evidence" of a crime and that the probe was a pretext to pressure Powell into resigning or lowering interest rates. Trump labeled Boasberg "wacky" and "out of control," demanding his removal from all administration cases.

As the legal conflicts intensified, Trump called on Congress to pass a crime bill imposing harsh penalties on "rogue judges." Chief Justice John Roberts responded by warning that personally directed hostility toward judges is "dangerous" and undermines the Republic. The friction has further impacted governance, with Senator Thom Tillis vowing to block new Federal Reserve nominees until the investigation into Powell is resolved.