Letitia James Celebrates Court Ruling Against Trump’s Tariffs: 'Never stop fighting'

New York Attorney General Letitia James is hailing a major legal victory after a federal appeals court struck down much of former President Donald Trump’s tariff program, framing it as a win for ordinary Americans.

“A court ruled in our favor and declared that the President cannot impose tariffs whenever, wherever, or however he wants,” James posted on X. She continued, “This is a victory for hardworking families and businesses in New York and across the country. We will never stop fighting to protect people and their wallets.”

The decision, issued Friday by a federal appeals court, affirmed an earlier ruling from the Court of International Trade. The judges determined that Trump acted unlawfully by invoking the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to declare an “economic emergency” and then impose tariffs without congressional consent.

While the judgment does not eliminate the government’s ability to use tariffs, it found Trump’s method violated the law. The outcome could disrupt Trump’s broader plans to overhaul decades of U.S. trade policy.

James was among 12 state attorneys general who filed suit, contending that Trump’s tariff strategy exceeded his legal authority. Attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont joined New York in the case.

In their April filings, the Democratic-led states asserted that Trump “lacks statutory authority to impose the tariffs” and said the levies amounted to enormous taxes on Americans that Congress never approved.

The White House at the time rejected those claims. Spokesperson Kush Desai dismissed the lawsuit, saying, “Once again, Democrats like Letitia James are prioritizing a witch hunt against President Trump over protecting their constituents.”

Desai also insisted the administration had the power to address national emergencies, including drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and the trade deficit.

This latest case is part of a lengthy legal feud between James and Trump. Since 2019, she has led investigations into the Trump Organization, accusing it of inflating the value of assets by billions.

That lawsuit went to trial from October 2023 through January 2024. In February, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled Trump and his company had committed fraud, ordering him to pay roughly $364 million while placing business restrictions on him and his sons. However, in August 2025, a New York appeals court upheld the fraud finding but struck down the financial penalty, calling it excessive.

Trump has consistently described James’s investigations as a partisan “witch hunt,” even filing lawsuits against her. However, several of them were dismissed as meritless. James has countered with her own stance: “No one is above the law - not even a former president.”

The Justice Department later launched probes into James, looking at possible mortgage fraud and civil rights violations tied to her Trump investigation. James and her allies contend these are politically motivated attacks orchestrated by Trump supporters. More than 20 state attorneys general have spoken out in her defense, accusing the federal government of abusing power to target her.

Jeffrey Schwab, litigation director at the Liberty Justice Center, said the decision makes clear that Trump overstepped: “This decision protects American businesses and consumers from the uncertainty and harm caused by these unlawful tariffs.”

Trump fired back on Truth Social:

“ALL TARIFFS ARE STILL IN EFFECT! Today a Highly Partisan Appeals Court incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end. If these Tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the Country. It would make us financially weak, and we have to be strong.

Now, with the help of the United States Supreme Court, we will use them to the benefit of our Nation, and Make America Rich, Strong, and Powerful Again!”

The ruling is scheduled to take effect on October 14th. The Trump team is preparing to challenge the decision before the U.S. Supreme Court, setting the stage for another high-profile legal showdown.

The decision and ruling will likely be paused pending resolution in the Supreme Court.

Letitia James Celebrates Court Ruling Against Trump’s Tariffs: 'Never stop fighting'