Arizona AG Takes on Trump Administration in High-Stakes Tariff Lawsuit

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined a multi-state lawsuit aiming to contest tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. This legal action challenges the authority of the President to impose tariffs via four executive orders.

The lawsuit argues that these tariffs disrupt the constitutional order and create instability in the American economy. “By claiming the authority to impose immense and ever-changing tariffs… the President has upended the constitutional order,” the complaint states.

Mayes asserts that these tariffs effectively function as a tax that burdens consumers directly. “As Arizona’s chief law enforcement officer, I will not stand by while President Trump jeopardizes Arizona’s economy,” Mayes emphasized in a statement.

Alongside Arizona, attorneys general from Oregon, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont are involved in this lawsuit. This marks yet another legal battle for Mayes against the Trump administration in recent months.

In a related challenge, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a lawsuit last week in the Northern District of California. His state, the largest importer in the country, could reportedly face billions in revenue losses due to the tariff policy.

Responding to these legal initiatives, White House spokesperson Kush Desai stated that the administration remains committed to addressing what they deem a national emergency affecting American industries. “We will use every tool at our disposal, from tariffs to negotiations,” Desai affirmed.

This adds to the ongoing controversies surrounding the Trump administration’s tariff strategies and their implications for state economies across the nation.