Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Feb 21: US President Donald Trump launched a sharp personal attack on Supreme Court justices who struck down his global tariffs, accusing them of being “swayed by foreign interests” and calling the ruling an embarrassment.
Addressing reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump said he was “ashamed of certain members of the court” for lacking the courage to do what he believed was right for the country. He described them as “very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution” and at one point referred to them as “fools and lap dogs.”
In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court of the United States held that Trump’s sweeping global tariffs were illegal. Chief Justice John Roberts, along with conservative justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch, joined the court’s three liberal justices in the majority decision.
Asked whether he regretted appointing Barrett and Gorsuch, Trump said he did not want to comment directly on regret but called their decision “terrible” and “an embarrassment to their families.”
In contrast, Trump praised conservative justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh for voting to uphold his authority to levy tariffs. He thanked them for their “strength and wisdom, and love of our country.”
Trump singled out Kavanaugh, who authored a 63-page dissent, calling him a “genius” and saying he was “so proud of him.”
The president further alleged that foreign interests had influenced the court’s decision, claiming they exerted “undue influence” over the justices. When pressed by reporters for evidence, Trump responded, “You’re going to find out.”
Vice President JD Vance also criticised the ruling, describing it as “lawlessness from the court, plain and simple.”
The remarks highlight escalating tensions between the White House and the Supreme Court. Constitutional law professor Steven Schwinn of the University of Illinois Chicago said Trump’s comments reflected a misunderstanding of the separation of powers, arguing that disagreement with presidential authority does not equate to illegitimacy.
Trump was also asked whether the six justices who ruled against him would be welcome at next week’s State of the Union address before Congress. He said three were “happily invited,” while the others were “invited, barely,” adding that he did not care whether they attended.