Warren: Trump should give money back to American people

Warren: Trump should give money back to American people

Warren Calls for Refunds as Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Tariffs

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on February 20, 2026 that President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping global tariffs exceeded his constitutional authority, marking a significant legal and political setback for his economic agenda. In a 6-3 decision, the court invalidated tariffs imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which Trump had leveraged to tax nearly all imported goods, claiming they addressed trade deficits and national security threats.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) responded swiftly, asserting that “Americans should get their money back” due to the “massive damage” caused by the tariffs, which raised costs for consumers and businesses. According to reports, the ruling has reignited debates over refunding the estimated $175 billion collected under these tariffs, with thousands of companies and 12 states having previously sued the administration to recover payments.

The court’s majority opinion, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, emphasized that Congress—not the executive branch—holds constitutional authority over tariffs. Roberts wrote that Trump’s assertion of power to impose “unlimited” tariffs required explicit congressional authorization, which he lacked. The decision invoked the “major questions doctrine”, a legal principle limiting presidential action on issues of vast economic significance without clear legislative consent.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in dissent, argued the tariffs were a “traditional” tool of presidential power and that the ruling does not address the legality of refunding collected funds. The Trump administration has indicated it will explore alternative legal pathways to retain some tariffs, such as national security or retaliatory trade provisions, though these offer less flexibility than IEEPA.

Small businesses and Democratic-led states, including Massachusetts, hailed the ruling as a victory against what they described as an “illegal tax” on working families. The case, Learning Resources v. Trump, was the first major challenge to Trump’s post-2025 policies to reach the Supreme Court.

With the court’s decision, the focus now shifts to the logistical and political challenges of refunding billions to affected entities, a process that could take years and face legal and administrative hurdles.

(https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5747530-elizabeth-warren-supreme-court-trump-tariff-refunds/): The Hill
(https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/20/supreme-court-tariffs-ruling-major-setback-for-trump/88777523007/): Cape Cod Times
(https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-supreme-court-rejects-trumps-global-tariffs-2026-02-20/): Reuters