Trump slams Barrett, Gorsuch over $159B tariff ruling
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- Donald Trump posted on Truth Social rebuking Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch for joining the Supreme Court's 6-3 February ruling that struck down his use of an emergency statute to justify increased trade rates.
- Trump claimed the justices' tariff decision 'cost the United States 159 Billion Dollars that we have to pay back to enemies, and people, companies, and Countries, that have been ripping us off for years.'
- Trump questioned the justices' loyalty, writing 'it's really OK for them to be loyal to the person that appointed them' and asking 'What is the reason for this?' about appointees who 'hurt our Country so badly.'
- Trump used the post to warn the Supreme Court against striking down his executive order repealing birthright citizenship, writing 'A negative ruling on Birthright Citizenship, on top of the recent Supreme Court Tariff catastrophe, is not Economically sustainable for the United States of America.'
- Customs and Border Protection found that more than 330,000 importers paid the disputed duties, and Trump last month said he would 'remember' companies that fail to seek refunds.
- Trump characterized the tariff decision as 'a really bad day' for the justices but added 'our Country can only handle so many decisions of that magnitude before it breaks down, and cracks!!!'
- The Hill noted Trump had previously scolded Barrett and Gorsuch by name immediately after the February ruling, but the Sunday post was 'much longer' and focused on the refund repayment order.
Why it matters: Trump is openly pressuring two of his own Supreme Court appointees ahead of a major birthright citizenship ruling, framing judicial independence as disloyalty. With 330,000 importers owed refunds and the administration potentially on the hook for $159 billion, the tariff defeat is now a recurring political flashpoint — and Trump is signaling he views unfriendly rulings as personal betrayals rather than constitutional checks.
