Attorney General Weiser statement on the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the Trump tariffs

Feb. 20, 2026 (DENVER) – Attorney General Phil Weiser released the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the Trump tariffs:

“The Supreme Court today made it clear that a federal emergency powers law does not give the president the authority to impose sweeping tariffs on trading partners. Tariffs are taxes passed onto consumers who then pay higher prices for food, appliances, electronics, and other goods. These illegal tariffs also force businesses, farmers, and ranchers to make major decisions to save costs or stay afloat.

“President Trump’s ever-changing tariffs create economic chaos and jack up prices while many Coloradans stretch to meet their budgets, so today’s court decision is a victory and will provide relief for the American people.

“We recognize that this administration is likely to continue to act in defiance of the law. During oral argument in this case, for example, the government’s lawyers told the court that a loss would not stop the president from imposing tariffs under other federal laws.

“We cannot have national trade policy decided on a whim, without any justification, and in defiance of the law. Under the Constitution, only Congress has the power to tax and impose tariffs. It’s time for Congress to do its job and stop this president from abusing power and further harming Americans. And if Congress fails to act and do its job, we’ll be back in court.”

Colorado was part of a federal lawsuit brought by 12 state attorneys general challenging the president’s executive orders that claimed the power to increase tariffs worldwide without congressional action.

For more on Attorney General Weiser’s efforts to defend Colorado from illegal federal actions, visit coag.gov/defending-colorado.

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Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov