Neal Katyal Leads Landmark US Supreme Court Win Against Trump Tariffs, Calls It Victory For Constitution
Indian-Origin Lawyer Emerges As Key Face Of Major Executive Power Ruling
Indian-origin US Supreme Court lawyer Neal Katyal emerged as a central figure in a landmark ruling that struck down sweeping global tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump, marking a significant moment in the debate over executive authority and economic policy in the United States.
Representing a group of small businesses, Katyal described the verdict as a “complete and total victory,” saying the judgment reaffirmed a core constitutional principle — that taxation powers rest with Congress, not the President.
Supreme Court Ruling And Its Impact
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court of the United States examined tariffs imposed under emergency powers legislation, including broad “reciprocal” tariffs applied to multiple countries.
The Court concluded that such sweeping tax-like measures exceeded presidential authority without congressional approval. The decision is widely seen as a setback for Trump’s economic agenda and a major affirmation of constitutional limits on executive power.
Katyal said the ruling reinforced the rule of law and clarified that while presidents hold significant authority, the Constitution ultimately governs taxation and trade policy.
Katyal’s Role In The Case
Following the verdict, Katyal highlighted the broader implications of the decision, stating that the Court’s message was clear — no single leader can unilaterally impose taxes on citizens. He said the judgment delivered everything the legal team sought, strengthening safeguards around separation of powers.
Legal observers noted that the case could shape future disputes over trade policy, emergency powers and presidential authority, particularly in an era of aggressive tariff strategies globally.
Profile: A Leading Voice In US Constitutional Law
Neal Katyal, 55, is widely regarded as one of America’s leading Supreme Court litigators. A former Acting US Solicitor General, he has argued dozens of major constitutional cases.
His notable appearances include Moore v. Harper, where he challenged the independent state legislature theory, and earlier work defending the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act during the Obama administration.
Born in Chicago to Indian immigrant parents — a physician mother and an engineer father — Katyal studied at Dartmouth College and later Yale Law School under prominent constitutional scholar Akhil Amar. His sister, Sonia Katyal, is a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
Katyal currently serves as a professor at Georgetown University Law Center and is a partner at global law firm Milbank LLP, focusing on executive power, national security law and constitutional structure.
Growing Influence Of Indian-Americans In US Law
Katyal’s prominence reflects the increasing influence of Indian-Americans in the US legal system, where lawyers, judges and scholars of Indian origin are playing key roles in constitutional debates and landmark rulings.
The latest decision adds another milestone to that trajectory while reshaping discussions around presidential authority in economic policymaking.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s decision not only alters the trajectory of US trade policy but also reinforces constitutional boundaries around executive power. With Neal Katyal at the centre of the case, the ruling underscores how legal advocacy can shape national policy debates and global economic narratives.