Trump’s Tariffs Got Ruled Illegal by Federal Courts—He’s Ignoring It

Three federal courts ruled Trump’s tariffs violate federal law. Three different judges, three different cases, three identical conclusions: illegal.

Trump’s response? Keeping them anyway.

Let that sink in. The judicial branch of the United States government has ruled that the president is breaking the law. And the president has decided he doesn’t care.

This isn’t partisan dispute. This isn’t Democrats versus Republicans. This is federal judges—some appointed by Republicans—examining the law and determining Trump exceeded his authority.

The courts were clear. The Trade Expansion Act gives the president limited authority to impose tariffs for national security. Trump claimed his tariffs were about national security. The courts examined the evidence and said no, these are economic tariffs falsely labeled as security measures to bypass Congress.

That’s illegal. The law says so. The courts confirmed it. Trump is doing it anyway.

You know what we call it when a president ignores court orders? We have a word for that. It’s called authoritarianism.

The whole point of three branches is checks and balances. Congress makes laws. The executive enforces them. The judiciary interprets them. When the president disagrees with a court ruling, he doesn’t get to ignore it. That’s not constitutional democracy.

But Trump’s playing by different rules. His own rules. Rules where court decisions are suggestions he can dismiss if they’re inconvenient for him.

And these tariffs are costing you money now. Steel tariffs increase car prices. Aluminum tariffs increase costs from beer cans to airplane parts. Lumber tariffs drive up housing costs. Electronics tariffs make your phone more expensive. Every tariff is a tax you pay.

Companies pass these costs directly to you. When they pay 25% more for imported steel, they increase prices. When they pay 10% more for electronics components, they raise prices. You’re paying Trump’s tariffs every time you buy something.

And it’s all illegal. The courts said so. Trump doesn’t care.

Think about what this means. If the president can ignore court rulings on tariffs, what else can he ignore? If judicial decisions are meaningless when they contradict Trump, what stops him from ignoring courts on anything?

Environmental regulations he doesn’t like? Ignore the courts. Labor laws that protect workers? Ignore the courts. Civil rights protections? Ignore the courts. Once you establish the precedent that court rulings are optional, everything becomes optional.

The rule of law only works if everyone—especially the most powerful person—follows it. Trump’s making clear he believes he’s above the law. Not just above accountability. Above the actual courts whose job is determining what’s legal.

Three federal judges told him his tariffs are illegal. He looked at those rulings and decided his power matters more than their authority. He decided his agenda matters more than the Constitution.

This is what tyranny looks like in real time. It doesn’t start with tanks in the streets. It starts with a president deciding he doesn’t have to follow court orders.

The courts said it’s illegal. He’s doing it anyway. And you’re paying for it.

Still think he respects the Constitution?