Neal Katyal, the son of Indian immigrants, emerged as a central figure in the landmark US Supreme Co

Neal Katyal is a top US Supreme Court lawyer who argued against Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs and won. He represented small businesses and convinced the Court that only Congress, not the President, can impose taxes. The ruling became a major constitutional moment and a big setback for Trump’s economic plans.

Why Was Neal Katyal in the Spotlight?

The case was about tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump under emergency powers. These tariffs affected almost every country. Many businesses said this move hurt them badly. Neal Katyal stepped in and challenged the decision before the US Supreme Court.

In a 6-3 ruling, the Court sided with Katyal’s arguments. The judges made it clear that the Constitution gives the power to tax to Congress alone. The decision was seen as a direct message about limits on presidential authority.

Katyal called it a “complete and total victory.” He said the ruling reaffirmed the idea that in America, no single leader controls taxation power. That power belongs to elected lawmakers in Congress.

His Powerful Supreme Court Career

Neal Katyal is not new to big legal fights. He previously served as the Acting US Solicitor General under President Barack Obama. That role means representing the US government before the Supreme Court. It’s one of the most respected legal positions in America.

He has argued dozens of cases before the Court. In Moore v. Harper in 2023, he successfully fought against the “independent state legislature” theory. That theory could have given state legislatures unchecked power over federal elections. His win protected election safeguards.

Earlier in his career, he worked on the famous Bush v. Gore case during the 2000 election dispute. He also defended the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act during the Obama administration.

Indian Roots and Strong Academic Background

Neal Katyal was born in Chicago to Indian immigrant parents. His mother was a doctor, and his father was an engineer. He studied at Dartmouth College and later graduated from Yale Law School. At Yale, he was mentored by leading constitutional scholar Akhil Amar.

His sister, Sonia Katyal, is also a well-known law professor at the University of California, Berkeley. The family reflects the rising influence of Indian-Americans in the US legal world.

Today, Katyal teaches at Georgetown University Law Center as a professor of national security law. He is also a partner at the global law firm Milbank LLP.

Why This Case Matters So Much

The Supreme Court ruling against Trump’s tariffs was not just about trade. It was about constitutional power. It reminded Americans that the President cannot act beyond limits set by the Constitution.

Neal Katyal’s argument focused on one simple principle. In the United States, Congress controls taxation. Not the President. That message now stands reinforced by the highest court in the country.

For many, this case strengthened faith in the rule of law. And it placed Neal Katyal firmly at the center of one of the most important constitutional battles in recent years.