Neil Gorsuch Shocks MSNBC With ‘Stunning’ Move Against Trump Tariffs
The Trump-appointed justice joins liberal justices in a surprise decision rejecting the president’s trade policy.
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch surprised MSNBC host Jonathan Kipphardt this weekend by opposing President Donald Trump’s use of tariffs. The conservative justice, usually aligned with Trump’s priorities, appeared concerned about the executive branch overstepping its authority in the face of Congress, prompting Kipphardt to exclaim, “Oh my God!” live on air.
Liz Auer, a former pardon lawyer, appeared on MSNBC to discuss a recent Supreme Court hearing. She described it as “an interesting hearing this week, which raised the possibility that two conservative justices might join liberal justices in striking down Donald Trump’s tariffs.”
Auer focused particularly on Gorsuch’s remarks, calling them “the most surprising comment.” She explained: “We won’t know for sure until after the ruling, but the arguments put forward clearly suggest that some justices are very keen to overturn this decision. The most surprising comments came from Neil Gorsuch, a staunch conservative on the Court, who suggested that, in his view, the Trump presidency is gradually but surely eroding much of the legislative power—that is, the power of Congress.”
Oyer added that the Supreme Court appears to be emphasizing Congress’s constitutional role in taxation. “The Supreme Court is therefore indicating that Congress is responsible for taxation. Tariffs are a form of tax. If we are going to impose tariffs on other countries, that is a decision for Congress, not the president.”
Gorsuch’s unequivocal reaction represents a rare moment of resistance from a conservative justice to executive overreach, raising persistent questions about the limits of presidential power and the protection of legislative authority.
