Just days after a historic legal setback, Donald Trump took to the national stage Tuesday night with a defiant message: his tariff agenda is not retreating—it’s accelerating.
Speaking before a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, the president delivered a forceful defense of the trade duties that have defined his economic platform, insisting that “the deals are all done” and signaling no intention of scaling back despite a ruling from the Supreme Court of the United States striking down key elements of the policy.
A Rare Face-Off Between Branches of Government—In the Same Room
In an extraordinary moment of political theater, Trump criticized what he called the Court’s “unfortunate involvement” in tariff policy while several of the justices who ruled against him sat just feet away.
Among those in attendance were Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett, all part of the majority that declared the administration’s sweeping tariffs unlawful. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who dissented, also attended.
The unusual public clash underscored how tariffs—once framed primarily as economic policy—have evolved into a constitutional and political battleground.
Trump’s Bold Claim: Tariffs Could Replace Income Taxes
During the address, Trump reiterated one of his most controversial economic assertions yet: that tariff revenue could eventually “substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax.”
Economists remain skeptical. Current tariff collections amount to roughly $30 billion per month, only a fraction of federal income-tax revenue. Still, the president framed tariffs as a long-term structural shift designed to move the tax burden away from American households and onto foreign producers.
Public Opinion Is Turning Sharply Negative
Even as Trump champions the policy, polling suggests Americans are increasingly unconvinced.
A recent survey conducted by ABC News in partnership with The Washington Post and Ipsos found 64% of Americans disapprove of the administration’s handling of tariffs, compared with just 34% who approve.
Broader economic polling also shows declining confidence in the president’s economic leadership, complicating what was once considered one of his strongest political advantages.
Capitol Hill: Resistance From Both Parties
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have begun pushing back.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has signaled Democrats will attempt to block an extension of the administration’s new 10% global tariffs when they come up for congressional review later this year.
Meanwhile, divisions within Trump’s own party are surfacing. House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged that reaching consensus on tariff legislation would be “a challenge,” reflecting unease among Republicans wary of economic backlash.
Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican who has broken with the administration on some tariff votes, described tariffs as a negotiating tool rather than a permanent policy, saying they are meant “to force trade renegotiations.”
Economic Messaging Meets Geopolitical Tensions
Trump’s speech came against a backdrop of heightened global uncertainty, including a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf, adding geopolitical weight to an already fraught economic narrative.
The president attempted to reassure Americans that prices are falling and prosperity is returning, declaring, “We are winning so much, we don’t know what to do.” Yet critics argue that affordability concerns and market volatility continue to dominate voter sentiment.
A High-Stakes Bet on a Controversial Strategy
With midterm elections approaching and bipartisan skepticism growing, Trump is staking significant political capital on a policy that faces:
Legal uncertainty after the Supreme Court ruling
Tepid public approval
Resistance from members of both parties
Questions about whether tariff revenues can meaningfully reshape federal taxation
Supporters view the strategy as a necessary reset of global trade relationships. Opponents warn it risks higher consumer costs, strained alliances, and prolonged legal battles.
The Road Ahead
Congress may struggle to block new tariff actions outright, but it is equally unlikely to provide the sweeping legislative backing the White House might want. The result is a policy poised to be fought simultaneously in courts, committee rooms, and campaign rallies.
Trump, however, made clear Tuesday night that retreat is not part of the plan.
Whether tariffs become the cornerstone of a reimagined U.S. tax system—or a flashpoint that reshapes the political landscape—may define the next chapter of his presidency.