New York Attorney General Letitia James at press conference in New York City on Feb. 14, 2025. In the fall of 2022, she made a major legal maneuver. This lawsuit is aimed directly at former President Donald Trump, seeking to block the legality of his recent tariff impositions. This action is part of a broader effort by several states to ensure that tariffs are not imposed unilaterally without legislative oversight.
Holding the press conference on the steps of the CVD building, James highlighted how damaging these tariffs will be to American consumers and businesses. She pointed out that the president can’t just increase taxes at will. According to her, that’s precisely the effect Trump wants to achieve with these tariffs.
“The president does not have the power to raise taxes on a whim, but that’s exactly what President Trump has been doing with these tariffs,” – New York Attorney General Letitia James
James explained the legal basis for the lawsuit. Speaking against the proposal, he claimed that it is not in order to protect residents from unjust economic harm imposed by the tariffs. In her testimony, she described how such actions circumvent the democratic process and impose significant financial burdens on consumers and businesses.
The press conference provided a venue for James to explain where the lawsuit was headed. She said the purpose of the legal challenge is to strengthen a very important standard. Tax policy is too important to be set by administrative fiat, rather responsibility for tax-related decisions belongs to Congress. Titled These accusations are still ongoing, this lawsuit marks another milestone in an emerging nationwide narrative of state attorneys general versus federal executive overreach.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has been at the forefront of efforts to oppose the Trump administration in court. She is a relentless champion for accountability and transparency. Her most recent action should be seen as a continuation of that fierce commitment to protecting New Yorkers and ensuring that their economic interests are protected.
The scope of the lawsuit is alarming everyone’s attention, not just in New York but across the nation. Other states are already considering doing the same. Legal experts point out that this case has the potential to set significant precedents in relation to the breadth of executive power and taxation.
While James’ lawsuit was an important step to address these harms, she illuminated the larger concerns that tariffs broadly pose. He called out, in particular, their economic contributions to agricultural and manufacturing industries. She urged lawmakers to take a stand against what she described as executive overreach that threatens the livelihoods of everyday Americans.
The press conference ended with James repeating her commitment to continue fighting for equity and justice in economic policy. She’s particularly courageous in her opposition to arbitrary tariff increases. Though primed for battle, she’s prepared to take this legal fight all the way to the finish.
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