Donald Trump called U.S. Supreme Court justices ‘disgraceful’ and under ‘foreign influence.’ (Photo: SCOTUS)
Donald Trump’s sharp personal attacks on three Supreme Court justices, including allegations of treason, drew a sharp rebuke today from the nation’s leading lawyers’ group.
The American Bar Association (ABA), which calls itself “the national voice of the legal profession,” scolded Trump for his remarks following the court’s 6-3 decision to curb his tariff power.
Trump’s “personal criticisms against members of the U.S. Supreme Court, are not acceptable and cross a dangerous line that threatens the safety of the judiciary and our judicial process,” the group said in a release.
“While judicial opinions are always subject to analysis and critique, such disagreement must be voiced with respect for the facts and the law and must respect the independence and integrity of the courts.”
Trump took just the opposite tack. He called three conservative justices– Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Chief Justice John Roberts “a disgrace to our nation” and “disloyal to the Constitution.”
More Reading: Trump Tariff Defeat Is a Victory for New York, 11 States Before Supreme Court
In particular, Trump expressed personal anger at Barrett and Gorsuch, the two conservative justices he appointed during his first term, who joined three liberal jurists to kill most of his tariffs.
The Court held that sweeping tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) violate the law.
The Trump administration imposed IEEPA tariffs on its so-called “Liberation Day,” strarting with a 10% baseline tariff on almost all countries. Higher “reciprocal” tariffs were levied against a handful of close allies and trading partners, including specific levies on Mexico, Canada, China.
More Reading: Clarence Thomas Serious Allegations Over Tax Fraud Demand Full-Scale SCOTUS Investigation
Before Trump, no other president had used IEEPA to impose tariffs.
“What happened today with the two United States Supreme Court Justices that I appointed… never seems to happen with Democrats,” he steamed, calling the liberal justices “unpatriotic.”
He accused the court of being “swayed by foreign interests” whether through “fear or respect or friendships.” But was unable to back up that allegation when questioned by a reporter. “You’re going to find out,” he responded.
He described individuals involved on the opposing side of the case as “real slimeballs” and “unpatriotic.”
More Reading: Courts in Crisis: Judicial System Struggles With Politics, Bias, Corruption in Age of Trumpism
“Personal attacks against individual justices, particularly allegations that they are influenced by ‘foreign interests,’ are wholly inappropriate.
“Such statements risk undermining the rule of law and the public’s faith in an impartial judiciary, foundational pillars of our democracy that have guided our nation since its founding,” the group said.
“The health of our constitutional system depends on maintaining that independence, free from political intimidation or retribution.”
Since taking office in Jan. 2025, the Trump administration has been sued more than 650 times. The volume is significantly higher than that of previous administrations, according to court watchers.
About 500 cases are still pending. At the federal district court level, plaintiffs have won 48 times compared to five administration wins, although it’s won 51 percent of cases on appeal.
More Reading: Words on Paper Are All That Protect Our Democracy; It’s Time to Take a Stand
Trump has been most successful at the Supreme Court, winning in 21 of 24 emergency docket cases, which are rulings without opinions or hearings. Four more cases are pending before the high court.
Democratic-led states have filed dozens of suits, with California alone filing over 20, challenging federal immigration policies.
Trump, administration officials like Stephen Miller and several MAGA congressional members have called for judicial impeachments because so many courts have found administration actions illegal.
But this is the first time Trump has resorted to personally attacking Supreme Court justices, which prompted the Bar’s action.
“Incendiary rhetoric has helped contribute to the alarming increase in attacks on and threats to our judges. It must stop,” the group said.
Watch Trump’s remarks in the video below.