After Skeptical Justices Grill Trump Administration Lawyer, President Declares, ‘I Heard the Court Case Went Well’

President Donald Trump suggested that the sweeping tariffs he has unilaterally imposed have a good chance of being upheld by the Supreme Court, just hours after several justices – including conservatives – asked highly skeptical questions about their constitutionality during oral arguments.

In April, Trump invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president vast powers during a national emergency. The president has claimed that the U.S. trade deficits with dozens of countries constitute just such an emergency.

At one point, Chief Justice John Roberts rejected Solicitor General John Sauer’s contention that tariffs are not a tax. In another moment, Justice Neil Gorsuch challenged Sauer for appearing to claim that Congress can cede its constitutional powers to the president. Elsewhere, Justice Sonia Sotomayor interjected to urge Sauer to “just answer” a question from Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

As multiple outlets noted, the justices seemed broadly skeptical of the government’s arguments.

Trump appeared on Wednesday’s Special Report on Fox News, where Bret Baier asked the president if he is concerned about the outcome of the case.

“How worried are you about the Supreme Court decision on your emergency power on tariffs?” Baier asked. “The hearing today, a lot of people were trying to read through the tea leaves, what the justices were asking. Some were saying they were overly skeptical. You can’t really do that in Supreme Court hearings, but how worried are you that they may unwind this thing?

“Well, I heard the court case went well today, but I just heard that a little while ago,” the president insisted. “But I will say this would be devastating for our country if we lost that. Devastating. I think it’s one of the most important, maybe the most, but one of the most important cases in the history of our country.”

Trump later added, “If I didn’t have tariffs, we would right now – the entire world – would be in a depression… I did this for the world.”

Watch above via Fox News.