SCOTUS Pulls the Plug on Tariffs under IEEPA plus Fresh Scrutiny Into 2016 Russia Election Hoax
The Ben Ferguson Podcast
iHeartPodcasts
4.8 • 5.4K Ratings
🗓️ 21 February 2026
⏱️ 31 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
1. Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Tariffs Under IEEPA
- The Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that President Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) exceeded legal authority.
- Justices Roberts, Gorsuch, and Barrett joined the liberal justices in the majority.
- The ruling states the President cannot impose monetary tariffs under IEEPA, though he can still cut off trade, impose embargoes, or restrict commerce.
2. Trump Responds by Announcing a New 10% Global Tariff
- Immediately after the ruling, Trump held a press briefing announcing:
- A 10% global tariff imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, not under IEEPA.
- Existing Section 232 (national security) and Section 301 (trade retaliation) tariffs remain unchanged.
- He argues these alternative authorities give him broad tariff powers, possibly stronger than IEEPA.
3. Trump Strongly Criticizes the Supreme Court Majority
- He expresses disappointment and anger toward the majority justices, accusing them of:
- Weakness
- Being swayed by political or foreign interests
- Acting against American economic interests
- He praises Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh for their dissent.
4. Trump Claims the Ruling Gives Him Other Powerful Trade Tools
- Despite the setback, Trump asserts the ruling:
- Confirms his ability to ban, block, embargo, or license trade under IEEPA—just not charge tariff fees.
- Leaves intact several other statutes authorizing tariffs.
- He cites Kavanaugh’s dissent noting the President still retains broad tariff authority under other laws.
5. DOJ Issues New Subpoenas Related to 2016 Russia Investigation
- The Justice Department issued new subpoenas connected to:
- Individuals involved in shaping the intelligence community’s 2016 Russia-interference assessment.
- The government’s handling of Russian election interference.
- Subpoenas seek records extending beyond the original timeline of the 2016–2017 assessments.
6. Renewed Scrutiny of Intelligence Community Conduct
- Former CIA Director John Brennan is a target of inquiry.
- House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan referred Brennan for criminal prosecution, alleging false testimony about his involvement in including the Steele dossier in the intelligence assessment.
- Critics allege:
- Brennan and others were motivated by anti-Trump bias.
- The Steele dossier was improperly incorporated.
- Government officials abused power to undermine Trump.
7. Context on the Russia Investigation
-
- Russia conducted a “sweeping and systematic” influence campaign.
- No criminal conspiracy was established between the Trump campaign and Russia.
- It portrays the Russia probe as:
- A political attack.
- A “coup” to undermine Trump’s presidency.
5. DOJ Issues New Subpoenas Related to 2016 Russia Investigation
- The Justice Department issued new subpoenas connected to:
- Individuals involved in shaping the intelligence community’s 2016 Russia-interference assessment.
- The government’s handling of Russian election interference.
- Subpoenas seek records extending beyond the original timeline of the 2016–2017 assessments.
6. Renewed Scrutiny of Intelligence Community Conduct
- Former CIA Director John Brennan is a target of inquiry.
- House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan referred Brennan for criminal prosecution, alleging false testimony about his involvement in including the Steele dossier in the intelligence assessment.
- Critics allege:
- Brennan and others were motivated by anti-Trump bias.
- The Steele dossier was improperly incorporated.
- Government officials abused power to undermine Trump.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This is an I-Heart podcast. |
| 0:02.3 | Guaranteed Human. |
| 0:04.8 | We start with the very big news. |
| 0:07.5 | Donald Trump is imposing a 10% global tariff after the Supreme Court struck down the emergency powers tariffs that it used. |
| 0:17.9 | President Trump announcing that he is imposing that 10% global tariff on top of |
| 0:23.8 | tariffs already in place because the Supreme Court struck down his duties imposed under the |
| 0:30.0 | International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump announcement came during a press briefing |
| 0:35.8 | at the White House that they scheduled on short notice. |
| 0:38.5 | This, after the 6'3 ruling against those tariffs in which Chief Justice John Roberts, |
| 0:45.8 | Justice Gorsuch, Justice Amy Coney-Barritt, sided with liberal judges to rule against President Donald Trump. |
| 0:53.3 | I want you to hear what the president had to say as he was fighting back. |
| 0:58.5 | Today I will sign in order to impose a 10% global tariff under Section 122 |
| 1:04.0 | over and above our normal tariffs already being charged. |
| 1:09.1 | And we're also initiating several Section 301 and other investigations |
| 1:14.4 | to protect our country from unfair trading practices of other countries and companies. |
| 1:21.6 | A new record. We set a record every time. Well, thank you very much for being here. The Supreme Court's ruling on |
| 1:30.7 | tariffs is deeply disappointing, and I'm ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed, |
| 1:40.9 | for not having the courage to do what's right for our country. I'd like to thank and congratulate justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh, |
| 1:50.0 | for their strength and wisdom and love of our country, |
| 1:55.0 | which is right now very proud of those justices. |
| 2:00.0 | When you read the dissenting opinions, there's no way that anyone can argue Right now, very proud of those justices. |
| 2:01.2 | When you read the dissenting opinions, |
... |
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