Trump says he's "ashamed" of SCOTUS justices after tariff ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday, Feb. 20, that most of President Trump’s global tariffs were illegal.

They said the levies he waged against global trading partners were not authorized under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

While trading partners and American importers awaited clarity on what the ruling means for refunds and tariffs going forward, Trump said Friday that he was “disappointed” in the 6-3 ruling by the nation’s highest court, and “ashamed” of certain judges. Vice President JD Vance called the ruling “lawlessness from the Court, plain and simple.”

Trump vowed to sign an order to impose a 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act.

When asked if the United States will be refunding any of the tariff revenue, which totaled around $27.7 billion in January alone, Trump said it was not clear if there would be refunds, and that the matter will likely take years to litigate.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday following the SCOTUS ruling that the Treasury Department estimates that use of alternative legal means to levy the tariffs will result in “virtually unchanged” tariff revenue in 2026.

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