To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes Jonathan Rauch: SCOTUS, the Blue Wave and the Future of Democracy
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Nov 6, 2025 
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Court Questions Presidential Tariff Power
- The Supreme Court showed unexpected skepticism about Trump's use of a 1977 emergency law to impose broad tariffs.
- Jonathan Rauch argues the Constitution vests taxing power in Congress and the administration likely overreached.
Court’s Institutionalism Could Check The President
- Conservative justices favor keeping branches in their lanes and may force Congress to act if tariffs are improper.
- Rauch notes the court could strike the emergency route while leaving alternative tariff procedures available.
Blue Wave Was A Rejection Of Trumpism
- The midterm “blue wave” reflected voters punishing Trump-era policies and low approval more than local factors.
- Rauch says the margins were larger than expected and signaled voters rejecting Trump's direction.