Are the Trump Tariffs Legal?

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – November 5, 2025

Episode Theme:
This episode covers the legality of former President Trump's tariffs, updates on political shifts amid a government shutdown, ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the latest U.S. job numbers, and breaking news on a tragic plane crash in Louisville.

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1. Legality of Trump Tariffs

Main Discussion:

• Supreme Court Set to Rule:
  The U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to hear arguments in a landmark case regarding the extent of presidential executive power in levying tariffs.

  • (Kathleen Maloney, 00:02)

• Key Legal Questions:

  • The law's language is under scrutiny—what Congress actually allows the president to do during “emergency situations.”
  • Controversy centers on whether the president can impose tariffs on any country at his discretion and in any amount.

• Plaintiffs' Argument:

  • The plaintiffs, including small businesses, argue the administration's claim of sweeping tariff authority is exaggerated and demands clear, unequivocal Congressional backing.

• Notable Quote:

  “That is a breathtaking assertion of power and one would expect to see an unequivocal grant of authority from Congress to support it if the Constitution permits it at all.”
  – Legal Analyst (00:33)

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2. Government Shutdown & Social Benefits

Key Points:

• The government shutdown has reached its 36th day, causing vital SNAP benefits to run dry for many Americans.

• President Trump defends cuts, claiming the benefits had been “abused” under President Biden’s administration.

• Notable Quote:

  “That was for people that really had problems down and out people that really had problems. But during Biden they gave it to anybody that wanted it. I think it's something you have to talk about because the numbers are incredible.”
  – President Donald Trump (01:00)

• The shutdown's impact is also blamed for affecting electoral outcomes, particularly Democratic victories in New Jersey.

  • (Kathleen Maloney, 01:12)

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3. New Jersey Election Aftermath

Key Points:

• New Jersey voters retained Democratic control despite economic challenges.

• Governor-elect Cheryl acknowledged the tough socioeconomic climate and committed to working on behalf of all residents.

• Notable Quote:

  “I know not everyone voted for me, but I'm working for everyone, every single one of you.”
  – Cheryl (01:32)

• Republican Jack Ciattarelli, supported by Trump, called on Cheryl to pay attention to his supporters’ needs.

• Notable Quote:

  “...What we need to do to make New Jersey that place where everybody can once again feel they can achieve their American dream.”
  – Jack Ciattarelli (01:48)

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4. Russian Offensive in Ukraine

Key Points:

• Russia renews its push for territory in eastern Ukraine, focusing on Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub.

• President Putin attempts to seize on-the-ground victories amid stalled peace talks.

• Ukrainian forces, led by President Zelenskyy, respond with counteroffensives, including successful long-range drone strikes—despite lacking U.S. missile support.

• Notable Quote:

  “President Putin is apparently trying to win on the ground what he can't get at the bargaining table.”
  – Greg Palcok (02:22)

No new peace talks are scheduled.

• (Greg Palcok, 02:22–03:07)

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5. U.S. Jobs Report and Economic Recovery

Key Points:

• Private employers added 42,000 jobs in October—beating economic forecasts after job losses in September.

• Annual pay rate increased by 4.5%.

• October marked the first month since July with net positive job growth, though hiring remained "modest.”

• The official government employment report is suspended during the ongoing shutdown; the ADP report serves as an alternate metric.

• Notable Quote:

  “Jobs were added in October for the first time since July, but hiring was modest relative to earlier this year.”
  – Neila Richardson (ADP Chief Economist, 03:11)

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6. Breaking News: Louisville Plane Crash

Key Points:

• Louisville’s international airport reopened after a fatal UPS cargo plane crash.
• The crash resulted in nine fatalities and several injuries.

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Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• Legal Analyst:

  “That is a breathtaking assertion of power…” (00:33)

• President Donald Trump:

  “That was for people that really had problems…” (01:00)

• Cheryl:

  “I know not everyone voted for me, but I'm working for everyone…” (01:32)

• Jack Ciattarelli:

  “…What we need to do to make New Jersey that place where everybody can once again feel they can achieve their American dream.” (01:48)

• Greg Palcok:

  “President Putin is apparently trying to win on the ground what he can't get at the bargaining table.” (02:22)

• Neila Richardson:

  “Jobs were added in October for the first time since July…” (03:11)

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Summary:
This concise Fox News update covers the Supreme Court’s high-stakes review of Trump’s tariff powers, the ripple effects of the government shutdown on U.S. politics and social programs, election results from New Jersey, Russia’s military escalation in Ukraine, ongoing developments in the U.S. job market, and a tragic aviation accident in Louisville.

Transcript

[Kathleen Maloney]

Are the Trump tariffs legal? I'm Kathleen Maloney, fox news. The U.S. supreme Court is set to hear arguments in a landmark case over President Trump's executive power and tariff authority.

[Legal Analyst]

It gets to this, what does the text of the law really mean when it grants President Trump or any president executive wide sweeping powers to deal with emergency situations? Does it mean he can levy wide ranging tariffs to any country anytime he wants to? Well, they've lost all the decisions at the lower court. Now the plaintiffs would, which includes some small businesses, aren't buying the administration's argument that the president has the power to simply levy tariffs in any amount at any time he'd like to. This is from one of their briefs. They say that is a breathtaking assertion of power and one would expect to see an unequivocal grant of authority from Congress to support it if the Constitution permits it at all.

[Kathleen Maloney]

Fox's Shannon Bream it's day 36 of the government shut down. Snap benefits of run dry. But President Trump says they were being abused.

[President Donald Trump]

That was for people that really had problems down and out people that really had problems. But during Biden they gave it to anybody that wanted it. I think it's something you have to talk about because the numbers are incredible.

[Kathleen Maloney]

The president also blames the shutdown for Democratic wins in the election. New Jersey voters keep their state under Democratic control. Fox's Granal Scott with more Governor elect.

[Reporter]

Cheryl said while she relishes in victory, she knows taxes and high costs affect everyone in New Jersey. And some of those people made a different choice.

[Cheryl]

I know not everyone voted for me, but I'm working for everyone, every single one of you.

[Reporter]

Republican Jack Cittarelli, whom Cheryl defeated, said he hopes when Cheryl takes the oath she listened to what his supporters have.

[Jack Ciattarelli]

Said in terms of what we need to do to make New Jersey that place where everybody can once again feel they can achieve their American dream.

[Kathleen Maloney]

Ciarelli had the backing of President Trump. America's listening to Fox will Kane country.

[Podcast Host]

Watch it live at noon eas through [e-mail] or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

[Kathleen Maloney]

Russia makes a renewed grab for territory in eastern Ukraine. Fox's Greg Palkot with the latest Russian.

[Greg Palcok]

President Putin is apparently trying to win on the ground what he can't get at the bargaining table. Russian and Ukrainian troops are fighting battles in Pokrovsk, a transport and logistics hub in eastern Ukraine, which Moscow been trying to capture for over a year. It's one of the towns Putin once handed to him. In his latest peace offering to Kyiv, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy visited troops nearby where Ukrainian forces are conducting a counteroffensive against Russian troops as Ukraine, without the help of still denied US Tomahawk missiles, again reached deep into Russia long range Ukrainian drones hitting an industrial plant 800 miles from the border with Russia. No new peace talks are currently planned. In London, Greg Palcon, FOX News.

[Kathleen Maloney]

Job creation is still sluggish, but seemed to turn around last month.

[Neila Richardson]

Private employers added 42,000 new jobs in October as measured by payroll processing company adp. It's stronger than economists were predicting after jobs were lost in September. Workers are still getting raises. Annual pay rose 4.5% in October. ADP chief economist Neila Richardson says jobs were added in October for the first time time since July, but hiring was modest relative to earlier this year. The monthly employment report is suspended during the government shutdown. ADP's report isn't figured the same way as the Labor Department's, though it can be an indicator of how the job market's holding up. Ginny Cosella, FOX News.

[Kathleen Maloney]

The government will not be releasing a jobs report on Friday because of the government shutdown. Louisville's international airport has reopened after the fatal crash of a UPS cargo plane. Nine people were killed, killed, several injured when the plane crashed on takeoff. I'm Kathleen Maloney. This is FOX News.