Neal Katyal Argues, Wins Against Trump's Tariffs in Supreme Court

Neal Katyal, a prominent Indian-American lawyer and former Acting Solicitor General of the United States, emerged as a key figure in the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs. On February 20, 2026, in a 6-3 ruling, the Court held that Trump lacked authority under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad import duties, affirming that the power to levy taxes, including tariffs, resides exclusively with Congress. Katyal, who argued the case on behalf of challengers including small businesses, described the outcome as a "complete and total victory" that reaffirmed constitutional limits on presidential power.

Born in Chicago in 1970 to Indian immigrant parents—a doctor and an engineer—Katyal has built a distinguished career in appellate and constitutional law. He graduated from Dartmouth College and Yale Law School, later clerking for Justice Stephen Breyer at the Supreme Court and serving in senior roles at the Department of Justice. During the Obama administration, he acted as Solicitor General from 2010 to 2011, arguing several high-profile cases before the Supreme Court. Now a partner at Milbank LLP and a professor at Georgetown University Law Center, Katyal has argued more than 50 cases before the nation's highest court, making him one of the most experienced advocates in modern history.

In the tariff challenge—consolidated under cases like Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump—Katyal represented plaintiffs affected by the duties, which included baseline 10% levies on imports from nearly all trading partners, with higher rates on specific nations. He contended that Trump's use of IEEPA to impose what he called "unjust, unconstitutional taxes" violated separation of powers principles. The Court's decision, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, sided with this view, stating that Congress never intended to delegate such expansive tariff authority to the executive branch. Katyal hailed the ruling as a stand for the rule of law, noting it delivered "everything we asked for" and emphasized that "in America, only Congress can impose taxes on the American people."

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Katyal's involvement in the case adds to his record of challenging executive overreach, including prior arguments against aspects of Trump's 2017 travel ban and defenses of civil rights laws. The victory has drawn praise from legal scholars and free-trade advocates, who see it as a check on unilateral trade policy amid ongoing economic debates. Following the ruling, Trump swiftly pivoted to new tariffs under alternative statutes, but the decision marks a significant judicial constraint on his "America First" agenda.

The ruling's implications extend to global trade dynamics, potentially easing burdens on importers and consumers while highlighting tensions between executive action and congressional authority. As the administration explores other legal pathways, Katyal's role underscores the influence of seasoned litigators in shaping major policy outcomes through the courts. With his Indian heritage and extensive Supreme Court experience, he continues to represent a bridge between diverse backgrounds and high-stakes constitutional battles in the U.S. legal system.

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