WASHINGTON – A decision by a panel of judges at the US Court of International Trade invalidating most of President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs has triggered outrage from conservatives and Trump’s political allies.

In a statement on platform X, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, as reported by The Guardian on Friday (30/5), denounced the ruling as a “judicial coup” that undermines executive policy.

Conservative activist Laura Loomer echoed the criticism, branding the court’s decision as a sabotage effort by the judiciary.

The ruling was issued by a three-judge panel at the New York-based Court of International Trade, which found that Trump had exceeded his authority in unilaterally imposing broad trade tariffs via executive order. The panel asserted that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant unlimited power to the president to set tariffs.

The case was won by a coalition of plaintiffs, including the state governments of Oregon and Arizona, along with several small businesses.

However, the ruling has been temporarily stayed after the Trump administration filed an appeal with the US Court of Appeals.

“The Constitution does not give the president unchecked power to wreak havoc on the economy,” Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a written statement.

He described the decision as a victory for “working families, small businesses, and everyday Americans.”

Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Kush Desai told Fox News that such decisions should not rest with “unelected judges” when it comes to matters of national emergency policy.

“Our administration remains committed to using the full force of executive authority to restore American greatness,” he added.

Although the ruling does not affect specific tariffs on steel, aluminium, and automotive imports, the partial rollback of tariffs was welcomed by global financial markets.

Tensions between Trump and the US legal system have been escalating in recent years, particularly as Trump faces numerous legal battles related to his business dealings and the 2020 election.

He has repeatedly denounced the legal system as “corrupt” and a “political weapon” wielded by opponents such as President Joe Biden.

Most recently, Trump reignited this narrative by granting pardons to several figures closely linked to his base and donors.

Among them was former Virginia sheriff Scott Jenkins, who had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for bribery.

“Sheriff Jenkins’ family has been dragged through hell by Biden’s corrupt, politically weaponised Department of Justice,” Trump said on social media. (EF/KR/ZH)