Trump spokesman slams ‘unelected judges’ over tariff ruling

President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd as he departs after welcoming the 2025 College Football National Champions, the Ohio State University football team, during an event on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON, United States —  The White House on Wednesday slammed “unelected judges” over a court opinion blocking most of President Donald Trump’s import tariffs, ruling that he had misused emergency powers to justify the levies.

“It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency,” administration spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement. “President Trump pledged to put America first, and the administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American greatness.”

READ: Trump pauses most of his tariffs

Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs on most trading partners on April 2, with a baseline 10 percent, plus steeper duties on China and the European Union.

He later suspended some of the higher duties pending negotiations with individual countries and blocs.

The three-judge Court of International Trade ruled that Congress did not delegate “unbounded” powers to the president in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 that Trump invoked to justify the tariffs.

READ: US federal trade court issues sweeping ruling blocking Trump tariffs