California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed an amicus brief in the case Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, which challenges tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The brief was submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
In April, Attorney General Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom filed a separate lawsuit contesting what they describe as President Trump’s unlawful use of executive power to levy tariffs through multiple orders under IEEPA. In this latest filing, Bonta and Newsom argue that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia correctly determined that IEEPA does not grant authority to impose tariffs and that such actions by the Trump Administration were unlawful. They also support the court’s decision to retain jurisdiction over the case rather than transferring it to the Court of International Trade.
“As the country braces for continuous chaos from President Trump’s illegal tariffs, standing united to fight for American consumers and businesses is more important than ever,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today, I urge the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to affirm the District Court’s decision that President Trump’s chaotic tariffs are unlawful — not one word in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trump Administration’s vehicle for these tariffs, authorizes tariffs. These illegal tariffs will affect everything from the cost of essential household items like food and toilet paper to the cost of housing. The tariff chaos is a man-made crisis, and California families and industries will pay the price.”
The case centers on two family-owned educational toy companies who have challenged these tariffs under IEEPA. In May, a federal district court denied a request from the Trump Administration to transfer their case to another court and instead found that IEEPA did not authorize such tariffs. The court granted an injunction against them.
Attorney General Bonta has also held roundtables in San Francisco and Los Angeles with business leaders affected by these policies in order to gather input about their impact on California industry.
Earlier this year, California filed additional legal actions related to these issues: On April 16, Bonta and Newsom initiated a lawsuit opposing Trump’s use of IEEPA without congressional approval; in May, California sought a preliminary injunction against enforcement while litigation continues; and also submitted an amicus brief in Oregon v. Trump before another federal court considering similar questions about tariff legality. In June, a judge allowed California’s challenge to remain within state jurisdiction so it could be appealed further.
A copy of Attorney General Bonta’s amicus brief is available online.
