Tension Between the White House and the Supreme Court: Trump Downplays Judges' Attendance
In a widely controversial stance, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed indifference to the attendance of most Supreme Court justices at the upcoming "State of the Union" address, just one day after a landmark ruling that struck down the majority of his tariff definitions on U.S. trade partners.
In response to a reporter's question about whether the judges who voted against his tariff policy would still be invited, Trump candidly said:
"They are invited, barely, barely. The three are happily invited," he added: "Honestly, I don't care at all if they come."
Trump's remarks came after the Supreme Court's decision yesterday, Friday, by a 6 to 3 majority, which ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not grant the president the authority to impose broad tariffs without explicit congressional authorization.
The majority included Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, and Justice Neil Gorsuch, all of whom were appointed by Trump, along with three liberal justices.
In contrast, Trump praised the justices who opposed the ruling, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh, describing them as having "shown strength, wisdom, and love for the country," affirming that these three are "happily invited."
The State of the Union address is an annual constitutional event typically attended by members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, and senior state officials, but Trump's remarks reflect rising tensions between the White House and the Supreme Court following a ruling seen as a significant setback for his economic agenda and executive powers on trade.
