President Trump's exercise of constitutional authority is poised for a significant test, courtesy of a legal challenge from California's governor, Gavin Newsom.
Newsom, a potential contender for the 2028 presidential race, has declared his intention to sue the President over tariffs that he claims are causing turmoil in California. This unprecedented legal action marks the first instance of a state challenging the President's tariffs in court.
According to KTLA, Newsom's lawsuit contends that Trump's application of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to levy tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, as well as a 10% tariff on all imports, contravenes the U.S. Constitution. This act, enacted under President Jimmy Carter in 1977, grants the President authority to restrict transactions in response to foreign threats. Newsom criticized the tariffs, stating, "President Trumps unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy driving up prices and threatening jobs. Were standing up for American families who cant afford to let the chaos continue." He further argued that the tariffs could result in California losing billions of dollars.
As reported by KTLA, the lawsuit will be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, a jurisdiction known for its Democratic leanings. California is anticipated to seek an immediate injunction to halt the tariffs. This legal maneuver follows Newsom's previous appeals to other nations for tariff exemptions for California counties.
The Gateway Pundit highlighted that on April 2, President Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, effective April 5, 2025, with harsher penalties for major violators commencing April 9. In a White House Rose Garden address, Trump declared April 2 as "Liberation Day," signifying a shift towards economic sovereignty. He underscored the necessity of these tariffs to safeguard American jobs and rejuvenate domestic manufacturing.
Cassandra MacDonald of The Gateway Pundit disclosed that Trump recently announced an immediate tariff hike on China to 125%, while offering a 90-day reprieve and tariff reduction to 10% for over 75 other nations. Trump justified this decision on Truth Social, citing China's "lack of respect for the Worlds Markets."
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