U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett speaks during a book launch event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley on Sept. 9, 2025.
President Trump directed particularly sharp criticism at Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett on Friday after she joined a ruling that struck down his administration’s tariff policy, calling her decision “terrible” and suggesting it reflected poorly on her and her family. Justice Neil Gorsuch, another Trump appointee, also joined the ruling and was similarly criticized, though the president’s remarks centered more heavily on Barrett.
Speaking during a White House press briefing, Trump expressed frustration that Barrett — whom he nominated in 2020 and has frequently praised in the past — sided with a majority of the court to invalidate his tariff plan. While he stopped short of explicitly saying he regretted appointing her, Trump made clear he was deeply disappointed.
“I don’t want to say whether I regret nominating them,” he said, referring to Barrett and Gorsuch. “But I think their decision was terrible.” He went on to call the ruling “an embarrassment to their families.”
Barrett’s vote was particularly notable because she has often been viewed as part of the court’s conservative wing, aligned on many issues with other justices appointed by Republican presidents. Her decision to break with several conservatives in the tariff case marked a significant departure from Trump’s trade agenda, which has relied heavily on tariffs as a central economic tool.
Gorsuch, who was Trump’s first Supreme Court nominee in 2017, also joined the majority that struck down the tariffs. Trump criticized both justices, accusing the court’s majority of acting in a way he described as unpatriotic and disloyal to the Constitution. He further claimed, without offering specifics, that the court may have been influenced by foreign interests or a small political movement opposed to his policies.
Still, much of the president’s ire appeared directed at Barrett, whose appointment just weeks before the 2020 election was a major political victory for Trump and cemented a conservative majority on the court. Her vote against his tariff policy represents one of the more high-profile instances in which she has ruled contrary to his administration’s position.
When asked whether the justices who voted against the tariffs would attend the upcoming State of the Union address, Trump responded dismissively, saying they were “barely invited” and indicating he was indifferent to whether they showed up.
In contrast, Trump praised Justices Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh for supporting the tariff policy. He commended their “strength and wisdom” and said he was proud of their votes. He also spoke positively about Justices Clarence Thomas and Alito more broadly, expressing hope they would remain on the bench for years.
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett photographed in the United States Supreme Court Lawyers’ Lounge in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 3, 2025.
The ruling underscores the independence of the Supreme Court, even among justices appointed by the same president. Barrett and Gorsuch have not publicly responded to Trump’s comments, and the court traditionally does not address political criticism.
For Trump, however, Barrett’s decision appears to represent more than a legal disagreement. His remarks suggest a sense of personal frustration that one of his most consequential nominees did not side with him on a cornerstone economic policy, highlighting the unpredictable nature of lifetime judicial appointments.
