What's behind Trump's latest Supreme Court spat?

In a rare rebuke, the US Supreme Court has declared many of President Donald Trump's tariffs illegal, dealing a significant blow to his aggressive economic agenda. The decision has sparked a fierce reaction from the president, who lashed out at the justices, calling them "fools" and a "disgrace to the nation."

The court's ruling is a significant setback for Trump's trade policy, which has been marked by a series of tariffs imposed on countries around the world, including China, Canada, and Mexico. The tariffs were intended to protect American industries and workers, but have been widely criticized for sparking a global trade war and driving up costs for consumers.

The president's reaction to the court's decision was swift and angry. In a series of tweets, he attacked the justices, accusing them of being "out of touch" with the American people. "The Supreme Court is a total disaster," he wrote. "They are fools, and they are a disgrace to our nation."

The court's decision is not the only challenge facing the Trump administration this week. On Friday, the US military launched a strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific, killing three men. The strike is the second this week, and brings the total number of people killed in US strikes on suspected boats since September to at least 148.

According to US Southern Command, which oversees operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, the vessel was engaged in narco-trafficking operations and was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes. The strike is part of a broader effort by the US military to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs into the country.

The Trump administration has made combating the opioid epidemic a key priority, and has taken a number of steps to crack down on drug smuggling, including increasing funding for border security and imposing stricter penalties on traffickers. However, critics argue that the administration's approach is too focused on enforcement, and neglects the root causes of the epidemic.

The Supreme Court's decision on the tariffs is likely to have significant implications for the US economy, and could potentially impact the president's re-election chances. The court's ruling is a rare defeat for Trump, who has largely gotten his way on trade policy. However, it is a significant victory for the president's critics, who have argued that his tariffs are misguided and damaging to the economy.

As the president continues to lash out at the court, it remains to be seen how the administration will respond to the ruling. Will the president try to find ways to circumvent the court's decision, or will he be forced to retreat on his trade agenda? One thing is clear: the battle between the president and the Supreme Court is far from over.

Sources:

• The Guardian: "Trump news at a glance: president lobs insults at US supreme court for striking down his global tariffs"
• The Guardian: "US military strike kills three in second alleged drug boat attack this week"