- The Supreme Court of the United States issued only one opinion Jan. 9, making a decision in Bowe v. United States instead of the long-anticipated challenge to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
- The case involves federal prisoner Michael Bowe, who is seeking to challenge a mandatory 10-year portion of his sentence after later Supreme Court rulings narrowed the definition of a “crime of violence.”
- The Supreme Court ruled that the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals improperly applied a statute that governs state prisoners to Bowe’s case, vacated that decision, and sent the case back for reconsideration.
- A separate Supreme Court case on Trump’s tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act remains pending, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.
Despite hope that the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) would release a decision on the legality of President Donald Trump’s tariffs today, the court only issued one opinion as its first ruling of 2026, though it did indicate that it may release more rulings next week.
The Jan. 9 decision dealt with Bowe v. United States, a case in which federal prisoner Michael Bowe is challenging 10 years of his 24-year-long sentence. According to the opinion, the 10-year portion of the sentence was imposed due to Bowe’s conviction of “using a firearm in relation to a ‘crime of violence.’” However, he argues that SCOTUS decisions made since his sentencing have changed the definition of a “crime of violence” and that his 10-year sentence is no longer valid. He is seeking permission to file a motion that challenges the sentence and asks for it to be vacated.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals had denied his request, judging him under a law that imposes restrictions on when prisoners may contest their sentences. However, the law only applies to state prisoners. SCOTUS ruled that since Bowe is a federal prisoner, the appeals court’s decision was vacated, and sent the case back to the lower court for reconsideration.
Prior to the opinion being issued, it was speculated that SCOTUS would hand down a long-awaited ruling on Trump’s tariffs Jan. 9. CNBC reported that the decision will handle “whether the administration can use provisions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to levy the tariffs,” adding that if SCOTUS determines that the administration has acted improperly, the court will also decide “if the U.S. will have to reimburse those importers who already have paid the duties.”
According to the outlet, U.S. Treasury Scott Bessent said Jan. 8 that he predicts a “mishmash” ruling from SCOTUS.
“What is not in doubt is our ability to continue collecting tariffs at roughly the same level, in terms of overall revenues,” he added. “What is in doubt, and it’s a real shame for the American people, was the president loses flexibility to use tariffs both for national security, for negotiating leverage.”
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