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PHOTO COLLECTION: Transgender Rights

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PHOTO COLLECTION: Transgender Rights
News

News

PHOTO COLLECTION: Transgender Rights

2025-04-01 10:14 Last Updated At:10:41

This is a photo collection curated by AP photo editors.

People take part in a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

People take part in a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

People sit on the road and chant slogans during a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

People sit on the road and chant slogans during a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A person jokingly turns their poster to the camera during a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A person jokingly turns their poster to the camera during a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A couple dance to the music at the end of a Transgender Day of Visibility march by the Tagus river in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A couple dance to the music at the end of a Transgender Day of Visibility march by the Tagus river in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A person wearing the Transgender flag colors on their face poses for a portrait at the end of a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A person wearing the Transgender flag colors on their face poses for a portrait at the end of a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A couple hold hands while taking part in a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A couple hold hands while taking part in a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

FILE - President Donald Trump signs an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women's or girls' sporting events, in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

FILE - President Donald Trump signs an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women's or girls' sporting events, in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

Participants in the Trans Day of Visibility rally in the Pennsylvania Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, Pa., on Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Scolforo)

Participants in the Trans Day of Visibility rally in the Pennsylvania Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, Pa., on Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Scolforo)

Demonstrators on Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators on Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators participate during the Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators participate during the Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators on Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators on Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators participate in the Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators participate in the Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., speaks during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., speaks during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Actress Lena Dunham speaks during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Actress Lena Dunham speaks during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Actress Lena Dunham speaks during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Actress Lena Dunham speaks during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Aurora La'Rosa, 25, of Washington, and her girlfriend attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "It's important for us all to gather together in this political ecosystem," says La'Rosa, "to show that we aren't invisible, we are here, our allies are here, and we aren't able to be erased." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Aurora La'Rosa, 25, of Washington, and her girlfriend attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "It's important for us all to gather together in this political ecosystem," says La'Rosa, "to show that we aren't invisible, we are here, our allies are here, and we aren't able to be erased." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Elizabeth Fogarty, left, and Laura Tinter, both of Arlington, Va., attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "I have a trans loved one," says Tinter, "so I'm here for her." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Elizabeth Fogarty, left, and Laura Tinter, both of Arlington, Va., attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "I have a trans loved one," says Tinter, "so I'm here for her." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

People attend a rally in support of transgender people during the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

People attend a rally in support of transgender people during the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

People attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

People attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

With the U.S Capitol seen between them, people sit by signs saying "protect trans kids," and "you can't legislate away trans" as they attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

With the U.S Capitol seen between them, people sit by signs saying "protect trans kids," and "you can't legislate away trans" as they attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A "progress pride" flag tucked into a baseball cap appears like a rainbow by the U.S. Capitol dome, during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A "progress pride" flag tucked into a baseball cap appears like a rainbow by the U.S. Capitol dome, during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

With the Capitol in the background, Kali wears a trans equality flag in her hair while attending a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington."I'm here because I'm trans and it's a day to be visible," she said, "our rights, everyone's rights, are under attack." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

With the Capitol in the background, Kali wears a trans equality flag in her hair while attending a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington."I'm here because I'm trans and it's a day to be visible," she said, "our rights, everyone's rights, are under attack." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Ira, who is 13, attends their first Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "I felt a little like everything was falling apart," says Ira, "and I wanted to see if there were adults around who knew we were still here and still cared." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Ira, who is 13, attends their first Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "I felt a little like everything was falling apart," says Ira, "and I wanted to see if there were adults around who knew we were still here and still cared." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Lily Travis, 18, and Noah Masom, 17, both of northern Virginia, hug while attending a rally in support of people who are transgender during the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "I'm not the biggest protester, but I wanted to show my friends that their struggles are important," says Masom, "they need to know that people are on their side." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Lily Travis, 18, and Noah Masom, 17, both of northern Virginia, hug while attending a rally in support of people who are transgender during the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "I'm not the biggest protester, but I wanted to show my friends that their struggles are important," says Masom, "they need to know that people are on their side." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Runa Morgen, from upstate New York holds a sign saying "leave us alone," during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "What's going on is scary," says Morgan, "there's an obvious pattern and I see where this is going." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Runa Morgen, from upstate New York holds a sign saying "leave us alone," during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "What's going on is scary," says Morgan, "there's an obvious pattern and I see where this is going." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

More Images
People take part in a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

People take part in a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

People sit on the road and chant slogans during a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

People sit on the road and chant slogans during a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A person jokingly turns their poster to the camera during a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A person jokingly turns their poster to the camera during a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A couple dance to the music at the end of a Transgender Day of Visibility march by the Tagus river in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A couple dance to the music at the end of a Transgender Day of Visibility march by the Tagus river in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A person wearing the Transgender flag colors on their face poses for a portrait at the end of a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A person wearing the Transgender flag colors on their face poses for a portrait at the end of a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A couple hold hands while taking part in a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A couple hold hands while taking part in a Transgender Day of Visibility march in Lisbon, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

FILE - President Donald Trump signs an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women's or girls' sporting events, in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

FILE - President Donald Trump signs an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women's or girls' sporting events, in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

Participants in the Trans Day of Visibility rally in the Pennsylvania Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, Pa., on Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Scolforo)

Participants in the Trans Day of Visibility rally in the Pennsylvania Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, Pa., on Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Scolforo)

Demonstrators on Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators on Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators participate during the Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators participate during the Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators on Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators on Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators participate in the Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Demonstrators participate in the Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., speaks during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., speaks during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Actress Lena Dunham speaks during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Actress Lena Dunham speaks during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Actress Lena Dunham speaks during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Actress Lena Dunham speaks during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Aurora La'Rosa, 25, of Washington, and her girlfriend attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "It's important for us all to gather together in this political ecosystem," says La'Rosa, "to show that we aren't invisible, we are here, our allies are here, and we aren't able to be erased." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Aurora La'Rosa, 25, of Washington, and her girlfriend attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "It's important for us all to gather together in this political ecosystem," says La'Rosa, "to show that we aren't invisible, we are here, our allies are here, and we aren't able to be erased." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Elizabeth Fogarty, left, and Laura Tinter, both of Arlington, Va., attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "I have a trans loved one," says Tinter, "so I'm here for her." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Elizabeth Fogarty, left, and Laura Tinter, both of Arlington, Va., attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "I have a trans loved one," says Tinter, "so I'm here for her." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

People attend a rally in support of transgender people during the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

People attend a rally in support of transgender people during the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

People attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

People attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

With the U.S Capitol seen between them, people sit by signs saying "protect trans kids," and "you can't legislate away trans" as they attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

With the U.S Capitol seen between them, people sit by signs saying "protect trans kids," and "you can't legislate away trans" as they attend a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A "progress pride" flag tucked into a baseball cap appears like a rainbow by the U.S. Capitol dome, during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A "progress pride" flag tucked into a baseball cap appears like a rainbow by the U.S. Capitol dome, during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

With the Capitol in the background, Kali wears a trans equality flag in her hair while attending a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington."I'm here because I'm trans and it's a day to be visible," she said, "our rights, everyone's rights, are under attack." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

With the Capitol in the background, Kali wears a trans equality flag in her hair while attending a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington."I'm here because I'm trans and it's a day to be visible," she said, "our rights, everyone's rights, are under attack." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Ira, who is 13, attends their first Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "I felt a little like everything was falling apart," says Ira, "and I wanted to see if there were adults around who knew we were still here and still cared." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Ira, who is 13, attends their first Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "I felt a little like everything was falling apart," says Ira, "and I wanted to see if there were adults around who knew we were still here and still cared." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Lily Travis, 18, and Noah Masom, 17, both of northern Virginia, hug while attending a rally in support of people who are transgender during the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "I'm not the biggest protester, but I wanted to show my friends that their struggles are important," says Masom, "they need to know that people are on their side." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Lily Travis, 18, and Noah Masom, 17, both of northern Virginia, hug while attending a rally in support of people who are transgender during the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "I'm not the biggest protester, but I wanted to show my friends that their struggles are important," says Masom, "they need to know that people are on their side." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Runa Morgen, from upstate New York holds a sign saying "leave us alone," during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "What's going on is scary," says Morgan, "there's an obvious pattern and I see where this is going." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Runa Morgen, from upstate New York holds a sign saying "leave us alone," during a rally for the Trans Day of Visibility, on the National Mall, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Washington. "What's going on is scary," says Morgan, "there's an obvious pattern and I see where this is going." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

WASHINGTON (AP) — As stock markets tumble in the aftermath of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, Republicans in Congress were watching with unease and talking of clawing back their power to levy tariffs — but almost none seemed ready to turn their words into action.

The Republican president is upending longstanding GOP principles like support for free trade, yet despite clear misgivings and a Constitutional mandate to decide tariffs, most lawmakers were not ready to cross Trump. Instead, they were focusing all their attention on advancing the president's " big, beautiful bill ” of tax breaks and spending cuts, even as tariffs — in essence, import taxes — threatened to raise consumer prices across the board and push the global economy into a recession.

As the fallout from Trump's announcement reverberated around global markets, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who has made it clear he is no fan of tariffs, told reporters that he would give Trump "the benefit of the doubt” in hopes that the announcement was just a scare tactic to prod foreign leaders into negotiating better trade deals with the U.S.

“The president is a dealmaker if nothing else, and he's going to continue to deal country by country with each of them,” said Sen. John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican who is no. 2 in GOP Senate leadership. He added that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had told Senate Republicans this week that the tariffs announced by Trump would be a “high level mark with the ultimate goal of getting them reduced” unless other countries retaliate.

But countries like China are already retaliating with tariffs of their own, and while the president has signaled he is open to negotiations, he was mostly sounding a defiant tone Friday, saying on social media that “MY POLICIES WILL NEVER CHANGE” while claiming that foreign investors were lining up to invest in U.S. industries. He was on the golf course Friday near his Mar-a-Lago private club in Florida.

Congress, however, was jittery.

A handful of Republicans have rebuked Trump's strategy as a foolhardy path that will burden U.S. households. Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, the longtime Senate leader who was the standard-bearer for past generations of Republicans, released a lengthy statement saying, “As I have always warned, tariffs are bad policy, and trade wars with our partners hurt working people most.”

McConnell and three other Republicans joined with Democrats this week to help pass a resolution that would nullify Trump's tariffs on Canada, sending a rebuke to the president just hours after his “Liberation Day” announcement. But House Speaker Mike Johnson quickly indicated he has no interest in giving the resolution a vote.

Lawmakers' struggle to act showed the divide among Republicans on trade policy, with a mostly younger group of Republicans fiercely backing Trump's strategy. Rather than heed traditional free trade doctrine, they argue for “America First” protectionism and hope it will revive U.S. manufacturing.

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley said that workers in his home state of Missouri were “absolutely thrilled” with the tariffs. “We've been losing jobs left and right. Farmers want to see a fair deal for our products, both in Canada and in Mexico and from the (European Union)," he added.

For their part, Democrats slammed Trump's tariffs as a reckless maneuver meant to do nothing more than raise funds for the tax breaks Trump and Republicans are trying to pass.

“Why would he raise the costs on American families by $5,000, as it’s estimated? Simply because his very wealthy billionaire friends want a greater tax break,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech Friday.

Other Democrats challenged more Republicans to stand up to Trump. “If they truly believe in capitalism, they need to put their votes where capitalism is and that is that competition works, our world relationships work,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., at a news conference.

“Donald Trump is taking us backwards to the Great Depression,” she added.

Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who holds libertarian economic views, has been highly critical of the tariffs, warning they create the same economic problems that exacerbated the Great Depression. He is calling for Congress to reject Trump's plans with legislation that would require congressional approval for taxes on imports.

Other Republicans were looking for roundabout ways to check the president's power on trade policy. Sen. Chuck Grassley, a senior Republican from Iowa, introduced a bipartisan bill Thursday that would require presidents to justify new tariffs to Congress. Lawmakers would then have to approve the tariffs within 60 days, or they would expire.

Although Grassley emphasized that he had long been working on the idea, the timing of the bill was notable. It gave Republicans a chance to talk about their distaste for import taxes and raised the prospect of Congress clawing back some of its power over tariffs. The Constitution gives Congress the responsibility of setting taxes and tariffs, but over the last century, lawmakers have ceded much of their power over import taxes to the president.

A handful of Republicans said they were favorable to Grassley's proposal, though the idea of directly defying Trump seemed to squelch potential for quick action.

“I don’t want to do it in a politically charged environment,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, a South Dakota Republican. “But I absolutely agree. This was set up by the Founding Fathers to be Congress’s role. And, I think we’re way past the point of what the Founding Fathers ever wanted to have happen."

Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz seized on the hesitation from Republicans, saying on social media Friday that the Senate would overwhelmingly repeal or constrain tariff authority “if every Senator voted their conscience and their state’s interest.”

“Mostly everyone hates this, they are just too afraid of the Mad King at the moment,” Schatz added.

Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, also predicted the bill would never pass “because of the voting requirements in the Senate.”

But he was still taking to social media to offer a folksy bit of advice: “Tariffs are like whiskey: A little whiskey, under the right circumstances, can be refreshing — but too much whiskey, under the wrong circumstances, can make you drunk as a goat.”

Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., criticizes the agenda of President Donald Trump and the tactics of billionaire Elon Musk in a pivotal Wisconsin election where Democrats won, during a news conference at the Capitol, in Washington, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., criticizes the agenda of President Donald Trump and the tactics of billionaire Elon Musk in a pivotal Wisconsin election where Democrats won, during a news conference at the Capitol, in Washington, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., attends a news conference discussing the Republican-backed budget plan at the Capitol, in Washington, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., attends a news conference discussing the Republican-backed budget plan at the Capitol, in Washington, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., joined by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., the GOP whip, left, talks to reporters ahead of announcements by President Donald Trump on tariffs, at the Capitol, in Washington, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., joined by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., the GOP whip, left, talks to reporters ahead of announcements by President Donald Trump on tariffs, at the Capitol, in Washington, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters as he arrives for a closed-door strategy session with fellow Republicans ahead of announcements by President Donald Trump on tariffs, at the Capitol, in Washington, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters as he arrives for a closed-door strategy session with fellow Republicans ahead of announcements by President Donald Trump on tariffs, at the Capitol, in Washington, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R- Iowa, takes his seat as the panel meets to consider prescription drug pricing and other measures, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R- Iowa, takes his seat as the panel meets to consider prescription drug pricing and other measures, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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