Trump Claims "Without Tariffs, U.S. Would Be Destroyed, Military Collapsed" ... Protests Appeals Court Ruling
by Kwon Haeyoung
Published 01 Sep.2025 03:59(KST)
Updated 01 Sep.2025 06:52(KST)
Trump Criticizes "Radical Left Panel of Judges" on Social Media
Says "Obama-Appointed Judge Saved the Country"
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that if it were not for the trillions of dollars the United States has already earned through tariffs, the country would have been completely destroyed and its military power would have collapsed immediately, in response to a federal appellate court ruling that the imposition of reciprocal tariffs was illegal.
On August 31 (local time), President Trump stated on his self-created social networking service, Truth Social, "The radical left panel of judges in the 7-4 decision did not care at all," making these remarks.
He continued, "One Democratic appointee (judge) nominated by Barack Obama actually voted to save our country," adding, "I thank him for his courage. He loves and respects America."
Previously, on August 29, the U.S. federal appellate court ruled by a 7-4 vote that President Trump's reciprocal tariff measures, imposed based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), were illegal. Of the 11 judges on the panel, 8 were appointed by Democratic administrations and 3 by Republican administrations. The 'brave' individual President Trump referred to is a Democratic appointee who nonetheless ruled that the tariff measures were lawful.
Since President Trump has already announced plans to appeal, the legality of the tariff measures based on the IEEPA is expected to be ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, regarding the tariff revenues President Trump mentioned, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant previously stated that this year’s tax revenue could approach 1 trillion dollars. At a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Trump on August 26, he commented on tariff revenues, saying, "There was a significant increase between July and August, and we expect an even greater increase between August and September," adding, "We are well beyond 500 billion dollars and may be on track toward 1 trillion dollars."
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