SCOTUStoday for Monday, February 23

SCOTUSblog

by Kelsey Dallas

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a significant blow to President Donald Trump’s trade policies on Friday when it ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEAPA) does not grant the president the authority to impose tariffs unilaterally. The decision, in *Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump*, invalidated Trump’s attempts to reimpose sanctions on Cuba through tariff measures, marking a rare defeat for the administration in its ongoing legal battles over trade authority. Following the ruling, Trump expressed frustration but vowed to circumvent the court’s decision by imposing new tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, a move that critics argue bypasses Congress and raises concerns about executive overreach. The Court’s February argument session kicked off with oral arguments in two cases involving U.S. businesses seeking compensation for assets seized by the Cuban government over six decades ago. These cases, *Havana Docks Corporation v. Royal Caribbean Cruises* and *Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Corporación Cimex, S.A.*, highlight ongoing tensions between American businesses and foreign governments, particularly in the context of U.S.-Cuba relations. Meanwhile, another case on the docket, *Enbridge Energy, LP v. Nessel*, focuses on whether district courts can extend the 30-day deadline for defendants to remove cases to federal court, a decision that could have broader implications for procedural and jurisdictional issues in federal litigation. The Court’s ruling on tariffs comes at a critical juncture in U.S. trade policy, with Trump continuing to push for higher import taxes despite widespread criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. In his post-decision remarks, Trump praised conservative justices Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito, who voted to uphold his tariffs in dissent. However, the majority’s decision to invalidate the IEAPA-based tariffs underscores the constitutional limits on executive authority, a principle that has been central to several high-profile cases during Trump’s presidency

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Originally published on SCOTUSblog on 2/23/2026