Democrats Demand Trump Issue $1,700 Tariff Refunds to Americans

Govs. Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker call for Trump to pay back tariff costs to families after Supreme Court ruling

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's tariffs levied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Democratic lawmakers including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker are demanding that Trump issue $1,700 tariff refunds to American families. The governors claim Trump's tariffs cost the average family $1,745 over a year, and they are calling on the former president to immediately return that money.

Why it matters

The Supreme Court ruling found that Trump exceeded his authority in imposing the tariffs under the IEEPA, a national security law. This has opened the door for businesses and consumers who paid the tariff costs to potentially seek refunds, though the process for doing so remains unclear. The Democratic governors' demands highlight the ongoing political battle over Trump's trade policies and the economic impact they had on American families.

The details

In a letter to Trump, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker billed the former president for over $8.6 billion in tariff refunds for more than 5.1 million Illinois families, at a rate of $1,700 per family. California Gov. Gavin Newsom also called on Trump to immediately return the money, claiming he "took hundreds of billions of dollars from working folks, from the ag community, from small businesses" through the tariffs. However, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it is "unlikely" Americans will receive tariff refunds, and Trump indicated the issue would have to be "litigated for the next two years."

  • The Supreme Court ruling striking down the tariffs was issued on Friday, February 21, 2026.
  • The Democratic governors made their demands for refunds on the same day as the Supreme Court decision.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The governor of California who is calling for Trump to issue $1,700 tariff refunds to families in his state.

JB Pritzker

The governor of Illinois who sent a letter to Trump demanding a refund of $1,700 for every family in his state, totaling over $8.6 billion.

Donald Trump

The former president whose tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court, leading Democratic governors to demand he issue refunds to American families.

Scott Bessent

The Treasury Secretary who said it is "unlikely" Americans will receive tariff refunds.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Donald Trump should return that money immediately. He has an obligation. $1,751 per family that were taxed by Donald Trump. He took hundreds of billions of dollars from working folks, from the ag community, from small businesses for this vanity play, this illegal action, and he finally was held to account. The rule of law won out.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (Business Insider)

“Your tariff taxes wreaked havoc on farmers, enrage our allies, and sent grocery store prices through the roof. On behalf of the people of Illinois, I demand a refund of $1,700 for every family in Illinois.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois (Business Insider)

“I got a feeling the American people won't see it. My sense is that could be dragged out for weeks, months, years.”

— Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary (Business Insider)

What’s next

The Supreme Court ruling did not directly address the issue of issuing tariff refunds, so it remains unclear how or if Americans will receive the $1,700 per family that Democratic governors are demanding from former President Trump. The matter will likely have to be litigated further before any refunds are issued.

The takeaway

The Supreme Court's decision to strike down Trump's tariffs as exceeding his presidential authority has sparked a political battle, with Democratic governors calling for the former president to immediately refund the estimated $1,700 per family that American consumers paid in tariff costs. However, the path forward for issuing such refunds remains uncertain, highlighting the complex legal and political fallout from Trump's controversial trade policies.