UNITED STATES Supreme Court building (Flickr/Geoff Livingston).

President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs without the approval of Congress was rebuked by the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday.

The high court voted 6-3 to declare Trump’s actions “unconstitutional.”
But Trump did not yield, calling the court majority “lapdogs” and “disloyal to our Constitution,” reported the Associated Press.

His response included a new global 10 percent tariff under a law that’s never been used for tariffs and is limited to 150 days.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, stating “The Framers [of the Constitution] did not vest any part of the taxing power in the Executive Branch.”

Unresolved was whether those affected by the tariffs would be refunded. “It’s likely to be a mess,” wrote Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who sided with Trump.

U.S. vs. Canada in Olympic hockey final

As was widely anticipated, the gold medal match for ice hockey in the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics will come down to a clash between the United States and Canada.

The New York Times reported that the American team defeated Slovakia 6-2 on Friday, setting up the championship meeting on Sunday. It will be the third time the two national teams meet for the gold, with Canada winning 5-2 and 3-2.

Canada advanced to meet the US team with a 3-2 win over Finland, rallying from a 2-0 deficit.

In the most recent meeting between the two North American teams, Canada won 3-2 in overtime in February 2024. Although the games have usually been closely fought and often decided late or in overtime, Canada has a 15-4 record in Olympic hockey versus the USA.

Epstein estate to settle with survivors

JEFFREY EPSTEIN (Wikipedia).

While admitting to no wrongdoing, the executors of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate on Friday agreed to pay survivors of his sexual abuse a sum of up to $35 million.

United Press International reports that Epstein’s personal lawyer and personal accountant were sued for “facilitation, participation and concealment of Epstein’s illegal conduct” for financial gain.”

The settlement will come from what’s left of Epstein’s estate and not from his former lawyer and accountant.

The estate will pay $25 million if the number of eligible claimants is less than 40. If more, it will pay out $35 million.

Weather: There’s warming ahead

Now that the rainy stretch is over, we in the West Orange County cities can look forward to some higher temperatures. The forecast for Saturday is for a daytime high of 70 with an overnight low of 47 with mostly sunny skies. Sunday will be warmer, reaching 76 during the day and 50 overnight with mostly sunny skies. Monday is even warmer to 78 (53) and partly cloudy skies. Tuesday will cool to 75 (54) with partly cloudy skies.

Great Thoughts 

“When one with honeyed words but evil mind
Persuades the mob, great woes befall the state”
– Euripdes

“ A nationalist encourages us to do to do our worst, and then tells us that we are the best. A patriot, by contrast, wants the nation to live up to its ideals, which means asking us to be our best selves.”
– Timothy Snyder

“No one is an unjust villain in his own mind.”
– Jim Butcher