In a decisive legal victory for President Trump, U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley — a Biden appointee — has completely dismissed California Governor Gavin Newsom’s lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s tariffs. The move marks a major blow to the state’s legal effort to undermine Trump’s aggressive trade agenda.
Judge Corley, presiding in the Northern District of California, ruled that the case does not belong in her court, citing a jurisdictional issue. While the Trump legal team had asked her to transfer the case to the U.S. Court of International Trade, Corley instead dismissed the suit outright, giving California the right to appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals—a known stronghold of left-leaning judicial activism.
Trump Administration Stands Firm
President Trump responded swiftly to the ongoing legal resistance to his tariffs, warning:
“If other Countries are allowed to use Tariffs against us, and we’re not allowed to counter them, quickly and nimbly, with Tariffs against them, our Country doesn’t have even a small chance of Economic survival.”
The tariffs—implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—are at the heart of multiple ongoing court battles in district courts, the Court of International Trade, and now federal appeals courts.
California’s Legal Maneuvering Falls Flat
Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta had hoped to use the California-based district court to gain early leverage against Trump’s trade policies. But Corley’s decision not to transfer—but to outright dismiss—has instead forced them to pursue a tougher and more politically uncertain path through the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Politico reports:
“The ruling partially sides with the Trump administration, which argued the case belongs in the New York-based U.S. Court of International Trade.”
What This Means Going Forward
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The Trump White House holds the legal advantage as it fights to maintain and expand strategic tariffs.
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California’s appeal to the Ninth Circuit will face increased scrutiny, especially as federal courts wrestle over judicial boundaries on national economic policy.
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Judge Corley’s dismissal signals that even Biden-appointed judges may not be willing to play political games with trade law.
Conclusion: Another Legal Win for America First
This ruling is more than procedural—it’s a strategic victory for the Trump administration and a stinging defeat for Governor Newsom’s ongoing campaign to block federal authority.
As Trump continues to reinforce his tariff-first economic policy, the courts appear increasingly unwilling to allow partisan legal challenges to sabotage the executive branch’s power to defend American trade interests.
The war over tariffs is far from over—but today, Team Trump just scored a major victory.
