Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did the major questions doctrine affect the ruling in Learning Resources v. Trump?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

A person ascends the steps of the west facade of the United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., with its tall columns and a round fountain in the foreground. — Major Supreme Court Cases from the 2025–26 Term The west facade of the U.S. Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.

In the case of Learning Resources v. Trump, the Supreme Court utilized the major questions doctrine to limit the scope of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. argued that because the IEEPA does not explicitly mention the power to impose tariffs, it cannot be interpreted as granting the president such authority. Under the major questions doctrine—a principle of administrative law—the Court held that Congress cannot be assumed to have delegated a power of such significant magnitude unless it is clearly and specifically identified in the text of the law.1

Consequently, the Court ruled that the IEEPA does not authorize the president to impose tariffs, emphasizing that the constitutional power to levy duties and taxes resides with Congress.1