Federal courts delivered conflicting rulings on Trump's core trade agenda throughout the day. Early morning brought sweeping defeats as the Court of International Trade blocked Trump's tariffs, ruling them illegal and beyond presidential authority. The White House dismissed this as "judicial overreach" from "rogue judges."
By evening, an appeals court reversed the lower court decision, reinstating the tariffs while legal proceedings continue. Both sides must file written arguments by early next month.
Separately, Elon Musk officially departed his DOGE leadership role after 130 days, with Trump taking direct control of the department. Sources described his exit as leaving "upheaval and unmet expectations" rather than the promised government efficiency.
A second federal judge blocked Trump's attempt to ban foreign students at Harvard, extending the restraining order that prevented the administration from revoking the university's enrollment authority. This continued the administration's legal struggles with its Harvard confrontation from previous days.