You Do Not, Under Any Circumstances, Gotta Hand It To Chief Justice Roberts

Above the Law

by Liz Dye

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Supreme Court recently delivered a significant blow to President Trump’s tariff policies, ruling that he exceeded his authority by imposing shifting tariffs without proper legal basis. In *Learning Resources v. Trump*, a 5-4 decision, the conservative majority—including Chief Justice Roberts—struck down the administration’s ability to unilaterally alter tariffs based on political whims. Legal experts and commentators have hailed the ruling as a critical defense of constitutional separation of powers, with some calling it the most important Supreme Court decision in decades. The case began when Trump attempted to impose tariffs targeting specific countries without congressional approval, arguing a national emergency. Lower courts initially blocked these actions, but Trump pressed forward, claiming executive authority. The Supreme Court’s ruling rejected this argument, emphasizing that Congress holds sole power over tariffs under Article I of the Constitution. This decision marks a rare moment of judicial pushback against an otherwise dominant conservative majority on the court. Critics argue that while the ruling was correct in principle, it came too late. Trump had been collecting billions in illegal tariffs for months before the court finally acted. Observers note that the justices could have stopped the practice earlier but chose not to, allowing the administration to continue collecting revenue during the legal battle. This delay has frustrated businesses and consumers, as import costs were passed on to buyers. The ruling also highlights ongoing debates about executive overreach and the nondelegation doctrine, which limits Congress’s ability to delegate its powers to the executive branch. While Justice Kavanaugh’s dissent criticized this doctrine as outdated, supporters of the majority decision see it as a crucial safeguard against presidential overstep. The court’s handling of the case has sparked broader conversations about judicial restraint and its willingness to challenge powerful institutions. Though the ruling was a win for constitutional principles, its practical impact remains uncertain. Trump has yet to address whether companies that paid illegal tariffs will receive refunds, leaving businesses in limbo. Legal experts predict this issue will return to court, ensuring *Learning Resources v. Trump* remains a significant and unresolved chapter in the ongoing tension between executive authority and constitutional limits.

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Originally published on Above the Law on 2/23/2026