In a fresh legal challenge, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes spearheads a coalition of Democratic attorneys general and governors against former President Trump’s renewed attempt to impose tariffs. The lawsuit, filed just after the Supreme Court annulled Trump’s initial tariffs, underscores the ongoing legal tussle over executive powers.
Previously, Mayes had aligned with a similar group of Democratic attorneys general to contest Trump’s first round of tariffs last April, which the U.S. Supreme Court recently deemed illegal. In response, Trump swiftly issued a new executive order to impose tariffs under a different legal framework.
“The Supreme Court of the United States told Donald Trump that his tariffs were illegal, that he had been taxing the American people without the legal authority to do so, that he had to stop,” Mayes stated. “So what did he do? He threw a temper tantrum and he did it again.”
The new lawsuit, lodged in the United States Court of International Trade, might eventually ascend to the Supreme Court once more. This action is backed by 22 Democratic attorneys general in addition to the governors of Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
Trump’s initial tariffs were executed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977. This new effort is based on the Trade Act of 1974, which permits the president to enforce temporary import restrictions for up to 150 days, effective from February 24.
The coalition of attorneys general is pursuing an immediate halt or preliminary injunction to these tariffs. “He’s calling it a ‘fix.’ It’s not. It is the same illegal power grab under a different statute than he used the last time,” Mayes criticized of Trump’s approach.
The attorneys general maintain that Congress holds the authority to impose tariffs. They assert that some Republican officials agree with their stance but refrain from joining the lawsuit to avoid political fallout.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta remarked, “I think they’re secretly rooting for us. Because when we deliver a victory and get tariffs struck down, their residents benefit. Their businesses benefit. But, they seemingly won’t dare to stand up for the rule of law.”
“These lawsuits in our states are being widely supported by Republicans and Democrats and independents because all of them are being harmed and they all care about our economies,” Mayes added.
Democratic lawmakers suggest that Trump’s tariffs have imposed a financial burden of approximately $1,700 on the average American family, with Americans bearing most of the tariff costs last year.
So far, Democratic attorneys general have initiated numerous lawsuits against the Trump administration, with this being Mayes’ 37th lawsuit.
