3 days ago
Don Bacon on Trump Tariffs Power: 'Constitution Is Clear'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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U.S. House Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) pointed to the Constitution for the answer on the question of President Donald Trump's power to impose tariffs: He doesn't.
Trump is facing a battle in the courts over his use of national emergency powers to implement many of his tariffs on American trading partners across the world.
A federal trade court ruled he did not, but an appeals court has allowed the tariffs to remain in place temporarily as the issue works through the legal process.
"Article One Section Eight gives Congress the power over taxes and tariffs. The Constitution is clear," Bacon, a rare Republican critic of Trump, posted to X.
Another X user replied to say the 1934 Reciprocal Tariff Act delegated that power to the president when there is a national emergency.
Trump had declared an emergency over trade imbalances, saying they threatened national security and the domestic economy, so he could impose the tariffs.
"Courts just ruled on your emergency. It doesn't convince folks," Bacon replied.
The White House has accused "unelected judges" of treading on Trump's presidential powers and democratic mandate.
This is a developing article. Updates to follow.
