Trump accuses Supreme Court justices of succumbing to foreign influence and political pressure while striking down his sweeping US tariff plan at the White House

President Donald Trump unleashed a fiery critique of the Supreme Court Friday, suggesting that foreign interests and political pressure may have played a role in the justices’ decision to strike down his tariff policies.

Speaking at the White House, Trump accused some of the high court’s members of being “afraid” to do what he described as the right thing for the country.

Supreme Court Halts Trump’s Tariffs

The president’s sweeping tariff plan, implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 earlier in April 2025, was dealt a major blow when the Supreme Court handed down a 6-3 ruling against it.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority, emphasizing that the Constitution clearly grants Congress—not the president—the authority to levy taxes and tariffs.

The ruling effectively freezes Trump’s varied tariff rates and could force the administration to return an estimated $175 billion in tariff revenues already collected.

Foreign Interests and “Undue Influence,” Trump Says

Trump didn’t hold back in blaming what he described as foreign influence and political maneuvering.

“It’s my opinion that the court has been swayed by foreign interests and a political movement that is far smaller than people would ever think,” he said.

He suggested that fear of unnamed foreign entities could have guided the justices’ rulings, adding, “They don’t want to do the right thing. They’re afraid of it.”

When pressed by reporters for specifics, Trump referred vaguely to “people that have undue influence over the Supreme Court” and hinted that shadowy connections shaped the decision.

“Whether it’s through fear or respect or friendships, I don’t know, but I know some of the people that were involved on the other side, and I don’t like them,” he said, calling those individuals “real slime balls.”

Criticism of Conservative Justices

Trump singled out two conservative justices, Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch, describing their decisions as “an embarrassment to their families.”

Despite the criticism, he said the justices would still be invited to his upcoming State of the Union speech, though “barely,” signaling ongoing tension within the White House-Supreme Court relationship.

Tariff Alternatives Still on the Table

Despite the setback, Trump insisted that the administration has other tools to secure revenue from foreign trade.

He teased the possibility of deploying “powerful alternatives” and confirmed he would implement a 10 percent global tariff on Friday, aiming to boost U.S. revenue.

“We have alternatives—great alternatives—could be more money, we’ll take in more money, and we’ll be a lot stronger for it,” he said.

What’s Next?

Trump’s comments raise questions about whether the administration will pursue legal appeals, push alternative tariffs, or attempt to influence Congress to pass new trade legislation.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ruling marks a significant check on presidential authority over trade policy, setting the stage for future disputes between the White House and the judiciary.

Summary

President Trump publicly accused Supreme Court justices of being swayed by foreign interests and political pressure after the court blocked his April 2025 tariff plan.

The 6-3 decision, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, reaffirmed Congress’s constitutional authority over tariffs.

Trump criticized conservative justices Barrett and Gorsuch, hinted at shadowy influences, and promised alternative measures to secure revenue.

The ruling may force the government to return $175 billion in tariff collections and raises questions about the future of presidential trade powers.