Today I went to Capitol Hill, and walking around the steps of the Supreme Court this morning, I could feel the tension in the air as the Supreme Court heard a major case challenging President Donald Trump’s global tariffs. There were police at every corner, metal barricades surrounding the Capitol, and protesters waving signs early in the morning.
Inside the court, oral arguments were held over whether Trump’s sweeping global tariffs are constitutional and if he had the authority to enact those broad tariffs without explicit congressional approval.
As I sat outside the building, I held my phone closely to my ear, listening to what was being said in the court room. Nearly $90 billion in tariffs have already been collected and have directly affected businesses and consumers across the nation. Looking at the growing number of protestors around me all holding signs, it became clear nothing about this was abstract, but it touched everyone around me and across the country. Tariffs influence the prices of products we buy and create large effects that are felt by both families and small businesses everywhere.
Being on the Hill, surrounded by barriers and a large police presence, made me believe I could truly feel the weight of policy in action. Government decisions aren’t just debates or documents, but are felt through homes, stores, and streets, shaping everyday life for many people. While today marked the end of my internship, it also showed me that public policy is alive, and its effects extend beyond the Supreme Court, which is why I need to continue exploring these impacts.
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