Impact of Decisions by the Trump-era SCOTUS on the Administration
Wrapping Up the Supreme Court's Session: Victories for the Trump Administration Explored
As the Supreme Court wraps up its term, several decisions have been handed in favor of the Trump administration. In an exclusive interview with our Scott Simon, Amy Howe from the SCOTUS blog discusses the repercussions of these rulings.
The Great Debate over Tariffs and Presidential Power
In a notable showdown, the U.S. Court of International Trade (USCIT) determined that the Trump administration overstepped its bounds by implementing broad tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The court's ruling, which permanently enjoined the enforcement of specific tariffs, raised questions about the delegation of unlimited tariff-setting powers to the president, potentially implicating the Constitution's non-delegation doctrine. Yet, the administration temporarily appealed the decision, keeping the tariffs in effect.
The outcome of the appeals could significantly alter U.S. trade policy, potentially dismantling portions of Trump's aggressive tariff regime.
Universities in the Crosshairs: A Battle for Immigration Policies
A lawsuit challenging President Trump's executive order barring certain international students from attending specific universities, like Harvard, has raised questions about executive powers to restrict immigration in the higher education sector. The litigation underlines the broader implications for international student visa policies and institutional autonomy.
Environmental Laws: Agency Authority Under Scrutiny
Although not directly linked to Trump tariffs or immigration, the Supreme Court's early 2025 decision limiting the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) authority under the Clean Water Act has parallels with scrutiny on Trump administration policies. This ruling reflects a broader trend of narrowing executive and agency authority in environmental regulation, consistent with challenges seen across the Trump era.
The Takeaway: Judicial Checks on Executive Power
The Supreme Court and related federal court decisions towards the end of the Trump administration have underscored judicial checks on expansive executive power claims. These rulings have the potential to shape the future scope of presidential authority in trade, immigration, and environmental policymaking, further emphasizing the separation of powers espoused in the Constitution.
([][1]:http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2025/05/08/429461294/what-supreme-court-ruling-means-for-trumps-tariffs [2]:https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-tariffs-idUSKBN24121G [3]:https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/18-454_glio.pdf [4]:https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2025/07/ice-international-students-harvard/603380/)
- The discussion on the USCIT's ruling regarding the administration's tariffs rights under the IEEPA raised questions about the constitutionality of delegating unlimited tariff-setting powers to the president, touching upon the 'policy-and-legislation' and 'politics' domains.
- The Supreme Court's decision limiting the EPA's authority under the Clean Water Act mirrors the broader trend of scrutiny on Trump administration policies in the environmental sector, thereby illustrating the ongoing application of the 'judicial checks on executive power', as exemplified in the 'general-news' context.
