Who is Neal Katyal? Indian-American Lawyer Behind Supreme Court Ruling Against Trump’s Tariffs

Washington: The U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down former President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, ruling that he had overstepped his authority by imposing them without congressional approval. At the center of this historic legal victory is Neal Katyal, an Indian-American lawyer whose arguments convinced the Court that Trump’s tariffs were unconstitutional.

Legal Arguments That Won the Day

Katyal challenged Trump’s use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), arguing that the law does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. He highlighted that Trump had effectively applied an “unconstitutional tax” on nearly every trading partner of the United States. After the Court’s decision, Katyal said:

“Today, the U.S. Supreme Court stood for the rule of law and for Americans everywhere. The Court’s message is clear: the President is powerful, but our Constitution is more powerful. Only Congress can levy taxes on Americans.”

Katyal described the ruling as a constitutional milestone, emphasizing that the decision was about the separation of powers, not politics. “The Supreme Court, which has been the foundation of our government for 250 years, continues to protect our most fundamental values,” he said.

Background and Career

Neal Katyal was born in Chicago to Indian immigrant parents—his mother a doctor and his father an engineer. He graduated from Dartmouth College and Yale Law School, and clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. In 2010, former President Barack Obama appointed him as Acting Solicitor General. Katyal has argued over 50 major cases before the Supreme Court, a record for any minority attorney.

His notable past cases include defending the 1965 Voting Rights Act and challenging Trump’s 2017 travel ban. He has also authored Impeach: The Case Against Donald Trump and is often referred to as “Trump’s legal headache.” Katyal has received numerous accolades, including the Edmund Randolph Award, the U.S. Justice Department’s highest civilian honor, and was named Litigator of the Year by The American Lawyer in 2017 and 2023.

Fun Fact: How Katyal Took the Case

Interestingly, Katyal became lead counsel in the tariff case after a coin toss among competing lawyers—a contest he won. His arguments convinced the Supreme Court that the President cannot unilaterally impose taxes, dealing a significant blow to Trump’s tariff agenda.

Trump reacted angrily to the ruling, calling it “foolish” and posting on his social media platform X:

“The justices who voted against our perfectly reasonable tariffs should be ashamed. Their decision was strange, but the adjustment process has started, and we will try to collect even more money than before!”