In a bold legal challenge, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a federal lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, accusing him of overstepping his constitutional authority by using emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs on U.S. trading partners. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, contends that Trump’s actions under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) violate the separation of powers, asserting that Congress, not the president, has the authority to regulate tariffs.

At a press conference, Newsom and Bonta criticized Trump’s economic tactics, highlighting the impact on California’s manufacturing sector and accusing him of using “bogus national emergencies” to justify one of the largest tax increases in U.S. history. Newsom, who may be eyeing a 2028 presidential run, emphasized that the tariffs harm not only political opponents but also many Trump voters in areas like California’s Central Valley. His message was pointed: “Donald Trump has turned his back on his supporters—we will not.”

This is the 14th legal action California has taken against the Trump administration in as many weeks, underscoring the state’s aggressive stance against federal overreach. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate tariffs on key trading partners like China, Mexico, and Canada, and halt the planned 10