Tariffs vs. Small Business—Simplified’s Battle Against Executive Power-Grab

In this special episode of Unwritten Law, NCLA's Mark Chenoweth and John Vecchione are joined by Andy Morris, NCLA Senior Litigation Counsel, and Emily Ley, founder and CEO of Simplified—the small business challenging the Biden administration’s sudden and shifting tariff policies. Emily shares how abrupt, emergency-based tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) have harmed her business, creating massive uncertainty and escalating costs overnight.Andy explains why NCLA argues these tariffs are unlawful—exceeding executive power and bypassing Congress’s established trade laws. Together, they explore the real-world impact on American entrepreneurs, the dubious national-security justifications provided by the government, and what's next as the fight moves forward in court.