In the News

DENVER (KDVR) — The Supreme Court on Friday struck down a bulk of President Trump’s sweeping tariffs on imports from many foreign trading partners.

The Supreme Court justices ruled 6-3 that his expanded use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs without Congressional approval was unlawful.

The act gives the sitting president authority to regulate various economic transactions after declaring a national emergency, according to Congress.gov. Trump is the first president to attempt to invoke the act to impose tariffs.

“Changes in the use of IEEPA powers since the act’s enactment in 1977, including its use to impose tariffs on imports from almost all countries in 2025, have caused some Members of Congress and policy analysts to question whether the statute’s oversight provisions are robust enough given the sweeping economic powers it confers upon the President during a declared emergency,” the Congress.gov website states.

“We claim only, as we must, the limited role assigned to us by Article III of the Constitution. Fulfilling that role, we hold that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs,” Chief Justice John Roberts said of the ruling.

President Trump said in a meeting with reporters at the White House on Friday that he was “ashamed” of members of the Supreme Court for their decision, including a justice that he appointed himself.

“They’re very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution. 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. It’s a small movement,” Trump said.

Several countries have already lined up to sue the U.S. for refunds, which the court’s decision did not address or provide guidance for.

“One issue will be refunds,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh said. “Refunds of billions of dollars would have significant consequences for the U.S. Treasury. The Court says nothing today about whether, and if so how, the Government should go about returning the billions of dollars that it has collected from importers.” 

Colorado officials react

Politicians and lawmakers are now talking about what lies ahead as a result of the ruling. Here’s what they are saying in Colorado.

Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-3)

Rep. Hurd said in a statement that he shares President Trump’s goal to secure fair and reciprocal trade, however the Supreme Court’s clarification of IEEPA “underscores the need for Congress to play its proper role in trade policy.”

“Article I assigns Congress the authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to impose tariffs. Major trade decisions should rest on clear statutory authority, not expansive emergency interpretations. My vote last week reflected that same principle. Strong trade enforcement must be grounded in durable legal footing.

“I have heard directly from manufacturers, agricultural producers, and energy businesses in Colorado’s Third District about the uncertainty these tariffs have created. We must protect American industry and strengthen our leverage—but that leverage must be stable, predictable, and accountable to the American people.

“If tariffs are necessary, Congress should debate them and vote on them directly. That is how our constitutional system is designed to function.”

Senator John Hickenlooper (D)

Sen. Hickenlooper released a statement demanding that the Trump Administration immediately repay businesses the $175 billion they’ve been taxed.

“President Trump’s tariffs were blatantly illegal from the start and made life unaffordable for working families and small businesses. The Supreme Court confirmed today that tariffs are taxes and only Congress can set them,” said Hickenlooper. “The Trump administration should immediately pay back every single Colorado small business that suffered from their reckless tariffs. If they don’t, we need to pass our bill to make them do exactly that.”

In September 2025, Hickenlooper and nine other senators introduced the Small Business RELIEF Act, which would repay small businesses for the tariff costs they have paid. It would also exempt goods imported by or for the use of a small business concern from the levies.

Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-7)

Rep. Pettersen said the decision confirms that the tariffs are illegal, and shows that the Supreme Court has “finally” done its job by checking the President’s “lawlessness and complete abuse of power.”

“I’ve heard from small business owners who can barely keep the lights on and pay their employees because they’ve been hit with tens of thousands of dollars of unexpected costs because of whatever tweet Trump sent that day.

“He also used the threat of tariffs to enrich himself by giving preference to countries who bought his scam coin. Trump is a disaster for this country and families who are already struggling to make ends meet.

“I’m hopeful that this SCOTUS decision is the beginning of putting a desperately needed check on an unhinged president.”

Rep. Jason Crow (D-6)

Rep. Crow said the tariffs have raised costs that threaten small businesses and hit hardworking Americans the hardest. He said the country should be focused on making life better for the working class.

“Today’s decision reaffirms what the Constitution has said all along: these tariffs are illegal and unconstitutional. The ruling is a relief for working families that Donald Trump has turned his back on, and it sends a message to this President that he is not king. 

“Trump, J.D. Vance, and Republicans said they would lower prices. But instead they cut health care, passed tax giveaways for the richest Americans, and have protected the corrupt elite.”

Rep. Joe Neguse (D-2)

Neguse released a joint statement with the House Democratic Litigation Task Force, which led over 200 lawmakers to file a bipartisan amicus brief in October 2025, arguing that “Congress did not intend or provide for the IEEPA to be used as a tariff statute.”

“The Supreme Court’s ruling is a vindication for millions of American people and businesses harmed by President Trump’s arbitrary tariff scheme and also a ringing affirmation of Congress’s legislative powers as the Article I branch of government. Democrats on the Litigation Task Force have made clear that we will work to counter and defeat every attempt to bypass Congress and usurp our rightful constitutional powers. We will stand up for working Americans everywhere and every day, especially people forced to bear the brunt of these chaotic, on-again, off-again tariffs. Over the past year, President Trump and his administration have engaged in brazen and whimsical executive overreach. Today, even Trump’s own appointees to the Supreme Court had no choice but to strike down Trump’s brazen executive overreach. This decision recognizes our power to defend the people and the Constitution,” said Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser

Attorney General Phil Weiser, who has brought Colorado to join several lawsuits against the Trump Administration’s actions, said that the ruling will bring relief after the tariffs created “economic chaos” and raised prices while Coloradans stretched to make ends meet.

“The Supreme Court today made it clear that a federal emergency powers law does not give the president the authority to impose sweeping tariffs on trading partners. Tariffs are taxes passed onto consumers who then pay higher prices for food, appliances, electronics, and other goods. These illegal tariffs also force businesses, farmers, and ranchers to make major decisions to save costs or stay afloat.

“We recognize that this administration is likely to continue to act in defiance of the law. During oral argument in this case, for example, the government’s lawyers told the court that a loss would not stop the president from imposing tariffs under other federal laws.

“We cannot have national trade policy decided on a whim, without any justification, and in defiance of the law. Under the Constitution, only Congress has the power to tax and impose tariffs. It’s time for Congress to do its job and stop this president from abusing power and further harming Americans. And if Congress fails to act and do its job, we’ll be back in court.”

Gov. Jared Polis

Gov. Polis celebrated the ruling, calling it a win for families, workers and businesses who were forced to pay the price as a result of the tariffs. He said the decision will provide relief to Colorado’s economy, as more than 820,000 jobs in the state are supported by international trade.

“America is back on the global stage. Now we can sell our made in America and grown in America products and buy what we want from across the world with lower taxes. Today the Supreme Court said loud and clear: only Congress has the authority to impose taxes, including tariffs. For too long, Colorado businesses, farmers, and consumers have felt the devastating cost of Trump’s tariff taxes that increased prices, disrupted supply chains, and delayed investment. By blocking these sweeping tariffs, the Court has helped create certainty for America’s trade partners, restored stability to our economy and protected Americans from hundreds of billions of dollars in increased costs. Our economy will grow more and we will all prosper from this decision. We will always stand up for Coloradans, economic growth, and policies that help working families get ahead rather than make everyday life more expensive,” said Governor Jared Polis.

An analysis report released by the Governor’s Office in November 2025 found that the tariffs acted as a “direct tax on Colorado businesses” by driving up costs for materials and equipment, forcing companies to delay hiring and raising prices on consumers.

According to the report, Colorado businesses viewed the impact of the tariffs as 86% challenges, and 14% benefits. the report also found that 80% of agricultural respondents expected negative impacts from the tariffs like price increases, sourcing difficulties and delayed deliveries. Half of agricultural respondents said price impacts on things like aluminum, steel, copper, equipment, fertilizer and “catch-all” levies have a trickle-down effect.

The Governor’s Office said the state will help businesses and workers navigate the ongoing federal policy changes and their impacts.

Trump announces new tariffs

After the ruling, President Trump said in a press conference that he would raise preexisting tariffs and impose a universal tariff of 10%, which the administration has authority to do under other provisions.

“In order to protect our country, a president can actually charge more tariffs than I was charging in the past period of a year under the various tariffs authorities,” Trump told reporters Friday.

He also said he would launch investigations that could lead to a variety of import taxes.

Other representatives from Colorado have not released public statements on the matter as of Friday afternoon.