Sen. Raphael Warnock said Friday that President Donald Trump is likely to pursue new avenues to keep tariffs in place despite the Supreme Court’s decision striking down many of the administration’s duties, pledging to continue opposing them in the Senate.
In a 6–3 ruling, the Supreme Court of the United States held that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 when he imposed sweeping tariffs on imports from more than 100 countries.
Good news today. The Supreme Court has struck down many of Trump's tariffs.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) February 20, 2026
Sadly, this President is absolutely dedicated to making you pay these taxes. He's going to try other ways to keep them in place.
I will continue voting to block Trump's reckless tariffs in the Senate.
Responding to the decision, Warnock wrote, “Good news today. The Supreme Court has struck down many of Trump’s tariffs. Sadly, this President is absolutely dedicated to making you pay these taxes. He’s going to try other ways to keep them in place. I will continue voting to block Trump’s reckless tariffs in the Senate.”
The Georgia Democrat has repeatedly described the tariffs as taxes paid by American consumers and businesses, arguing that higher import costs are often passed along in the form of increased prices. The administration has defended the tariffs as a tool to reduce trade deficits, protect domestic manufacturing and strengthen negotiating leverage with foreign governments.
Our democracy is on the brink. The time to do something about it is now.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) February 13, 2026
Warnock’s comments fit within a broader pattern of warnings he has issued about executive authority and congressional responsibility. In recent weeks, he has framed debates over federal election legislation, including the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, as part of what he called a pivotal moment for democratic governance. He has argued that Congress must assert its constitutional role when it believes executive actions overstep statutory bounds.
The Supreme Court’s ruling marks one of the most significant legal setbacks of Trump’s second term so far and reopens debate over the balance of power between Congress and the presidency in matters of taxation and trade. With the administration signaling it will continue pursuing tariffs through other means, and Senate Democrats vowing resistance, the dispute over trade policy appears poised to remain a central issue on Capitol Hill.
