The Briefing with Jen Psaki NO KING: Trump blows up his own case for tariff power with scattershot excuses
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Aug 1, 2025 Neal Katyal, former Acting Solicitor General, discusses the legal battle over Donald Trump's claims of tariff powers. He reveals how Trump's chaotic justifications for tariffs contradict legal expectations and highlights concerns about unchecked executive authority. Katyal critiques the implications for businesses and warns of the risks posed by vague emergency declarations. The conversation also delves into the human cost of Trump's policies, shedding light on the emotional impacts on families affected by immigration enforcement.
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Trump's Confusing Unabomber Claim
- Trump mistakenly claimed his uncle taught the Unabomber at MIT, confusing him with Jeffrey Epstein who claimed to know the Unabomber.
- While Epstein likely never met the Unabomber at UCLA, the story shows how Trump conflated relationships.
Judicial Skepticism on Tariff Authority
- Courts expressed strong skepticism over Trump's claim that statutory law grants him unilateral tariff power.
- The law cited by Trump does not explicitly mention tariffs, raising concerns about presidential overreach.
Tariffs and Separation of Powers
- Trump's unilateral tariffs represent the largest tax increase and bypass Congress, which disrupts constitutional balance.
- Tariffs are traditionally a power vested in Congress, not the President acting alone.