New York Attorney General Letitia James celebrated a major court ruling that struck down much of President Donald Trump’s tariff program, calling it a win for everyday Americans.
“A court ruled in our favor and declared that the President cannot impose tariffs whenever, wherever, or however he wants,” James wrote on X.
She added: “This is a victory for hardworking families and businesses in New York and across the country. We will never stop fighting to protect people and their wallets.”
Why It Matters
A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that most of Trump’s tariffs were imposed unlawfully, upholding an earlier decision by the Court of International Trade.
The ruling does not outlaw tariffs altogether. Instead, the judges found that Trump’s approach—using the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to declare an “economic emergency” and then setting tariffs without congressional approval—broke the law.
This ruling could complicate Trump’s plans to reshape decades of U.S. trade policy.
What To Know
James was one of 12 state attorneys general who sued Trump, arguing that his tariff program was illegal.
In court filings from April, the Democratic attorneys general of New York, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont said Trump “lacks statutory authority to impose the tariffs.” They argued the tariffs acted like massive taxes on Americans that Congress never approved.
At the time, White House spokesperson Kush Desai dismissed the lawsuit as a “witch hunt against President Trump.”
“Once again, Democrats like Letitia James are prioritizing a witch hunt against President Trump over protecting their constituents,” Desai told Politico. He added that the Trump administration was committed to using its full authority to confront national emergencies, including illegal migration, fentanyl trafficking, and the growing U.S. trade deficit.
James has long been one of Trump’s top legal rivals. Since 2019, she has pursued a civil fraud case against the Trump Organization, accusing it of inflating asset values by billions of dollars.
That trial, which ran from October 2023 to January 2024, ended with Judge Arthur Engoron finding Trump and his company liable for fraud. The court ordered Trump to pay about $364 million and imposed business restrictions on him and his sons.
But on August 21, 2025, a New York appeals court gave Trump a partial win. While the fraud finding was upheld, the judges threw out the huge financial penalty, saying it was excessive.
The legal battles have only fueled political tension. Trump has repeatedly called James’s cases a partisan “witch hunt” and even filed lawsuits against her, though several were dismissed as frivolous. James, meanwhile, has argued that “no one is above the law—not even a former president.”
The conflict deepened when the U.S. Department of Justice opened investigations into James, looking at possible mortgage fraud and civil rights violations in her handling of Trump’s case. James and her allies say these probes are political retaliation led by Trump’s supporters. More than 20 attorneys general have defended James, accusing the administration of abusing federal power to target her.
What People Are Saying
Jeffrey Schwab, director of litigation at the Liberty Justice Center, said the ruling proves Trump cannot act alone on tariffs: “This decision protects American businesses and consumers from the uncertainty and harm caused by these unlawful tariffs.”
Trump pushed back in a Truth Social post, writing:
“ALL TARIFFS ARE STILL IN EFFECT! Today a Highly Partisan Appeals Court incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end. If these Tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the Country. It would make us financially weak, and we have to be strong.
Now, with the help of the United States Supreme Court, we will use them to the benefit of our Nation, and Make America Rich, Strong, and Powerful Again!”
What Happens Next
The ruling does not take effect until October 14. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
