Supreme Court Overturns Trump’s Tariffs and Oregon Leaders Call the Decision a Major Win for Families and Small Businesses
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) struck down President Donald Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs on Friday, delivering a significant blow to the President on one of his presidential campaign pledges and an issue crucial to his economic agenda.
The tariffs were imposed by Trump under an emergency powers law, and included sweeping reciprocal tariffs on almost every country.
The Supreme Court majority found that the Constitution clearly grants Congress the power to impose taxes, which include tariffs. No part of the taxing power was vested in the Executive Branch by the Framers.
This is the first major issue within Trump’s broad agenda to be heard by the nation’s highest court, with three of the conservative judges being Trump appointments from his first term. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented, and Trump has lashed out against the ruling.
Oregon Leaders Respond To Supreme Court Ruling On Trump Tariffs
The Oregon Department of Justice team, led by Deputy Attorney General Benjamin Gutman, argued the tariff case before the Supreme Court, joining attorneys general from across the country.
Oregon AG Dan Rayfield confirmed that the evidence showed that the cost of tariffs doesn’t land on foreign producers- it’s passed straight through to people at the checkout line.
Source: U.S. Supreme Court slip opinion in Learning Resources v. Trump (Feb 20 2026); refunds estimate reporting; Center for American Progress Action household cost estimate; Oregon State Treasury financial wellness scorecard and tariffs statement
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Rayfield also indicated that the president’s own lawyer told the Justices of the Supreme Court that 30-80% of tariffs are paid by Americans.
Rayfield said, “Today, the Supreme Court made it clear that no President gets to levy taxes on Americans disguised as tariffs. Oregonians work hard for every dollar they earn. We owe it to them to do everything we can to keep costs down.”
Oregon Governor (D) @GovTinaKotek said, “Oregon for the win. Well done, @AGDanRayfield and team! Trump’s tariff taxes have hurt businesses and our wallets. This is economic relief!
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden (D) confirmed that not only did Congress not authorize Trump’s global tariffs, but the Senate voted 51-47 to strike them down. He said, “The Supreme Court’s decision is a win for American families and small businesses who have paid billions in taxes they can’t afford thanks to Donald Trump’s pointless trade wars.” He confirmed that the court ruled the president cannot impose tariffs without clear authorization from Congress.
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley (D) said, “Today is a win for farmers, small businesses, and hardworking, middle-class families across the country.” He confirmed that Trump’s illegal and chaotic tariffs have harmed American consumers and businesses for months, leaving them to foot the bill for rising prices due to Trumpflation. He said, “While Trump continues his ‘families lose, billionaires win’ agenda, we’re using every tool at our disposal to fight back against his reckless policies and build an economy where families thrive, and billionaires pay their fair share.”
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1) @RepBonamici said the SCOTUS decision is a significant victory for Americans, the economy, separation of powers, and the rule of law. She congratulated AG Rayfield and his team for their win in their “challenge to this unlawful power grab and for fighting to lower costs for Oregon consumers.
Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-OR-3) @RepDexterOR called the ruling a big win. She said, “It was clear then (last fall), and it is clear now: Trump’s tariffs are an unconstitutional tax on working families. I’m grateful the rule of law prevailed.”
Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR-5) @RepBynum confirmed that so many small businesses have already felt the financial pain. She said, “I’m introducing the RELIEF Act to make our small businesses whole by refunding the tariffs they paid.”
Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR-6) @RepSalinas said President Trump’s approach was anything but strategic and has spoken out against these reckless tariffs, sponsored bills and resolutions that would rein in the Trump Administration’s chaos, and joined amicus briefs urging the Supreme Court to reject them since the beginning. She said, “I’m relieved the Supreme Court recognized this overreach of power and the direct harm they inflicted on Americans and took action to stop it.”
Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner (D) @OregonTreasury applauded the Supreme Court ruling and said that the administration’s tariffs have cost the average household $1,700, at a time when 1 in 2 Oregonians are struggling to put aside even $500 for emergencies. She urged the White House to abandon its costly tariffs once and for all and said, Oregonians cannot afford to bear the financial cost of these financially devastating and legally suspect actions any longer.”