PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Portland targets several members of the Trump administration over the tariffs levied by President Trump.
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The lawsuit alleges the tariffs violate the 1855 Yakama treaty with the United States, which exempted tribal members from tariffs, taxes and fees imposed by the U.S. on imported goods.
The suit was filed on behalf of tribal member Mandi Rae Lumley and her LLC, Tikkum Olam Holdings, a company based in Delaware that does substantial business in Oregon.
The lawsuit claims that several U.S. Supreme Court decisions, including one in 1899, says that treaties are to be interpreted and construed as tribes would have understood them at the time.
It further argues that the U.S. Constitution holds that treaties with tribes are “the supreme Law of the Land” and can only be modified by Congress for “substantial and compelling reasons.”
The suit names President Trump, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security, the United States, as well as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and acting Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Pete Flores.
The suit was filed by attorneys Caroline Janzen and Paul Janzen with Rugged Law Inc. in Portland.
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It asks for an injunction on tariffs, a declaratory judgment, and any other relief the Court finds is just and proper.