• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

‘Take time in quiet’: Melinda French Gates says to spend at least 10 minutes a day on self-care

2

Harry and Meghan's homecoming comes with a multimillion-dollar tax catch—waiting four years could have shielded their $60 million fortune

3

Eric Schmidt is reportedly at odds with Google cofounder Sergey Brin over how a $100 million campaign against California's billionaire tax is spent

1

‘Take time in quiet’: Melinda French Gates says to spend at least 10 minutes a day on self-care

2

Harry and Meghan's homecoming comes with a multimillion-dollar tax catch—waiting four years could have shielded their $60 million fortune

3

Eric Schmidt is reportedly at odds with Google cofounder Sergey Brin over how a $100 million campaign against California's billionaire tax is spent
Law

Trump calls Supreme Court justices who struck down his tariffs a ‘disgrace to our nation’ and vows fresh duties under other laws

Jason Ma
By
Jason Ma
Jason Ma
Weekend Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
Jason Ma
By
Jason Ma
Jason Ma
Weekend Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 20, 2026, 2:06 PM ET
President Donald Trump at the White House on Feb. 12, 2026.
President Donald Trump at the White House on Feb. 12, 2026.Anna Moneymaker—Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

President Donald Trump wasted little time responding to the Supreme Court decision that ruled his global tariffs unconstitutional.

Recommended Video

He blasted the six justices who struck down his levies invoked under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, saying he was “deeply disappointed.”

“I’m ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country,” Trump told reporters. “I’d like to thank and congratulate justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh for their strength and wisdom and love of our country.”

But speaking of the six who voted against the tariffs, he added later, “They also are a frankly disgrace to our nation, those justices.”

“They’re just being fools and lapdogs for the RINOs and the radical left Democrats,” he said. “And not that they should have anything at all to do with it, they’re very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution. It’s my opinion that the court has been swayed by foreign interests.”

When pressed repeatedly on his claim of foreign influence, he didn’t offer any evidence. But his tirade against the justices, including a few who were appointed by Trump, sets up a potentially dicey situation coming just days before his State of the Union address.

Trump used the IEEPA to impose so-called reciprocal tariffs on global trading partners as well as tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico related to the fentanyl trade.

But he has invoked separate tariffs under other laws, and Trump vowed Friday that he can use them to replace the levies the high court struck down.

He said he will sign an order to impose a 10% “global tariff” under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act “over and above our normal tariffs already being charged.”

That authority allows the president to enact duties of up to 15% for as long as 150 days to address a balance of payments or foreign exchange issues. Any extensions would require congressional approval, which Trump said he wouldn’t seek.

He also said the administration would initiate investigations under Section 301 of the 1974 law, which is meant to combat unfair trade practices or violations of trade agreements. The tariffs can’t be enacted until the investigations are complete, which could take two to three months under an expedited process.

Trump has used tariffs as a linchpin of his trade and economic agenda, including as leverage to negotiate deals with top economies.

When asked if those deals would remain in place given that the IEEPA duties are not longer valid, he replied that they would and pointed to the recently signed U.S.-India pact, saying it will continue using different tariff laws.

Trump noted that efforts to replace the levies that were struck down could result in higher rates than before the decision.

“It depends, whatever we want them to be,” he said. “But we want them to be fair for other countries. And you know we have some countries that have treated us really badly for years, and it’s going to be high for them. And we have other countries that have been very good, and it’s going to be very reasonable for them.”

Fortune Daily breaks the traditional barrier between audience and newsroom. The show transforms Fortune’s trusted reporting into actionable, conversational, and entertaining insights for an emerging class of business leaders. Watch here.
About the Author
Jason Ma
By Jason MaWeekend Editor

Jason Ma is the weekend editor at Fortune, where he covers markets, the economy, finance, and housing.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Law


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in Law


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.