Supreme Court Blocks Presidential Tariffs
Neal Katyal, the son of Indian immigrants, just won a major U.S. Supreme Court case against former President Donald Trump. The Court voted 6-3 to cancel Trump’s global tariffs, which taxed imports from nearly every country. Katyal represented small businesses hurt by these taxes.
He called the ruling a “complete and total victory,” adding that it proved “Congress, not any man, has the power to tax the American people.” The decision reinforces constitutional limits on presidential power and deals a big blow to Trump’s trade policies.
Who Is Neal Katyal?
At 55, Katyal is one of America’s top lawyers for Supreme Court cases. He served as Acting U.S. Attorney General and has argued over 45 cases before the Court. His work often protects democratic systems and checks presidential authority.
Family Roots and Education
Katyal was born in Chicago to parents from India. His mother Pratibha was a doctor, and his father Surendar an engineer. He graduated from Dartmouth College and Yale Law School, where he studied under famous scholar Akhil Amar. His sister Sonia is a law professor at UC Berkeley.
Historic Cases He Fought
Katyal tackles high-stakes constitutional battles:
- Moore v. Harper (2023): Stopped state legislatures from having unchecked power over elections
- Affordable Care Act: Defended healthcare protections under Obama
- Bush v. Gore (2000): Represented Al Gore in the presidential election dispute
- George Floyd Case: Served as special prosecutor for the federal trial
Impact Beyond the Courtroom
Katyal’s family reflects how Indian Americans are reshaping U.S. law. Many federal judges today share similar immigrant backgrounds. He teaches national security law at Georgetown University while practicing with firm Milbank LLP. His scholarship focuses on preventing presidential overreach and guarding constitutional rights.
