Federal Judge Tosses California’s Lawsuit Over Trump Tariffs
A federal judge in San Francisco dismissed California’s lawsuit against President Trump’s tariffs on Monday, citing an issue with the state’s authority.
Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley, appointed by former President Joe Biden, delivered disappointing news to California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta after they filed a lawsuit against Trump and several federal agencies in April.
The case was already pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, but the Trump administration requested that the judge transfer it to the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York. Instead, she dismissed the entire case brought by Newsom and Bonta. This ruling allows the two Democrats to appeal to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which is recognized for its liberal leanings.
California Democrats argued that Trump’s tariffs, implemented under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act without Congressional approval, violate the principle of separation of powers. Conversely, the Trump administration contends that the tariffs are essential to address a national emergency stemming from the trade deficit with other nations.
Two rulings from the previous week indicated that Trump’s proposal to impose 10% “Liberation Day” taxes on goods from China, Mexico, and California was unlawful. Judge Scott Corley’s ruling follows those determinations. A three-judge panel on the trade court in New York and an Obama-appointed judge in the District Court in Washington, D.C., both concluded that Trump’s taxes exceeded the authority granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
On Monday, Bonta issued a statement commending Judge Scott Corley for allowing California’s request to withdraw the case, enabling him and Newsom to pursue an appeal. The attorney general remarked that the federal judge’s decision in San Francisco “keeps the case in California and allows California to appeal to the Ninth Circuit, which it plans to do immediately.”
“Today, our lawsuit contesting the Trump Administration’s harmful and unlawful tariffs has been permitted to proceed in California while we await our forthcoming appeal. We firmly believe that this case should be heard in federal district court and are gratified that the court acknowledged our request in dismissing this case, allowing us the chance to seek a review. Our position is clear: Trump lacks the authority to impose these damaging tariffs — the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not grant such power,” Bonta stated.
“We remain assured of the robustness of our case and anticipate continuing our efforts to advocate for California’s dynamic economy, businesses, workers, and families,” Bonta further remarked.
“The case was dismissed on procedural grounds. We contest this — as did a federal court in D.C. — and have already filed an appeal,” Newsom’s press office communicated on X.
Last Thursday, a federal appeals court postponed the enforcement of the court order that had previously blocked President Trump’s tariffs, meaning they are currently back in effect.
While reviewing Trump’s appeal, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has placed an official hold on the ruling.
That morning, the administration requested the Court of International Trade in New York to delay its decision, arguing that implementing it would result in a “foreign policy disaster scenario.”
The three-judge panel indicated on Wednesday that Trump’s global tariffs were “contrary to law.”
On Thursday, Trump took to his social media platform to criticize the judges’ ruling.
“Where do these initial three judges originate? How could they possibly have inflicted such damage on the United States of America? Is it simply a hatred of ‘TRUMP?’ What other explanation could there be?” the president expressed.
On Thursday, the Department of Justice sought a stay on Wednesday’s ruling, asserting that it is necessary “to prevent immediate irreparable harm to United States foreign policy and national security.”
