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California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a brief in support of a case before the Supreme Court, arguing that President Donald Trump’s tariff policies are unlawful. Newsweek contacted Governor Newsom, the White House and the Department of Commerce for comment via email on Saturday outside of regular office. Why It Matters Since his second presidential inauguration in January 2025, Trump has made tariffs one of the centerpieces of his economic agenda, introducing sweeping new levies on the majority of America’s trading partners, though some of these were later phased out. As the Republicans control both chambers of Congress, the legal system has acted as one of the main impediments to the Trump administration’s policy. Losing in the Supreme Court, which currently has six conservative leaning Justices against three who are widely seen as liberal, would be a major setback to Trump’s economic policy. California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking to reporters after he participated in a fireside chat at the California Economic Summit on October 22, 2025 in Stockton, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) What To Know The Supreme Court is due to hear oral arguments on the legality of Trump’s tariffs, which the president justified using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), on November 5. This comes after a number of Democratic controlled states and small businesses filed lawsuits arguing the IEEPA, which gives the president authority to regulate imports during a national emergency, doesn’t provide the necessary legal grounds for Trump’s tariff regime. On Friday, Newsom took to X to announce that he and California Attorney General Rob Bonta had filed a brief supporting the case against Trump’s tariffs, which the governor argued were harming families and businesses in California. In a statement, Newsom’s office said the “illegal tariffs” could “devastate California’s economy, depriving it of $25 billion and more than 64,000 jobs.” Earlier this month, the Supreme Court agreed to fast-track two tariff-related cases. Several lower courts have already ruled that the Trump administration is exceeding its authority by imposing broad tariffs the using IEEPA without Congressional consent. What People Are Saying California Governor Gavin Newsom said on X: “I’m filing a brief in support of the case against Donald Trump’s illegal tariffs now in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. California families and businesses shouldn’t pay the price for actions that Trump never had the authority to take in the first place.” Newsom added in a statement: “Trump’s illegal tariffs are punishing American families and small businesses. It’s not policy or business acumen — it’s betrayal and grift… While Trump continues to play political games and make shady deals for his own benefit, California will keep fighting on your behalf. We urge the court to stand firm against authoritarianism and uphold the rule of law that they are sworn to protect.” U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social in August: “Without Tariffs, and all of the TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS we have already taken in, our Country would be completely destroyed, and our military power would be instantly obliterated. In a 7 to 4 Opinion, a Radical Left group of judges didn’t care, but one Democrat, Obama appointed, actually voted to save our Country. I would like to thank him for his Courage! He loves and respects the U.S.A.” Jeffrey Schwab, attorney representing the plaintiffs in one of the cases before the Supreme Court, previously told Newsweek: “The concern is that if we allow it here that could creep into other laws that give the executive branch” greater power. What Happens Next It remains to be seen how the Supreme Court will rule after it begins hearing oral arguments on November 5. While a number of lower courts have already ruled the tariff regime illegal, the conservative-dominated Supreme Court has often given the Trump administration more leeway.
