SAN FRANCISCO – Governor Gavin Newsom today called on the Trump Administration to immediately issue refund checks — with interest — to American families and businesses after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs were illegal
“Time to pay the piper, Donald. These tariffs were nothing more than an illegal cash grab that drove up prices and hurt working families, so you could wreck longstanding alliances and extort them. Every dollar unlawfully taken must be refunded immediately — with interest. Cough up!” — Governor Gavin Newsom
The Court’s 6-3 decision confirmed what Governor Newsom argued from the beginning in California’s lawsuit: President Trump lacked the authority to impose sweeping tariffs under emergency powers. The illegal tariffs, a tax, collected more than $130 billion from importers, costs that were passed on to consumers through higher prices on everyday goods. A recent Yale report found that the tariffs led to the average family losing $1,751 dollars last year.
The first state to challenge Trump’s illegal tariffs, California led the nation in suing over Trump’s abuse of power, filing suit in April 2025 to stop tariffs imposed without congressional approval. The lawsuit argued Trump’s use of emergency powers was unlawful, economically reckless, and unconstitutional.
In today’s ruling in related cases, the Supreme Court agreed — ruling that federal law does not give the President unchecked authority to impose sweeping tariffs and rejecting Trump’s attempt to bypass Congress and unilaterally raise taxes on the American people.
Attorney General Bonta Celebrates Win for Families, Businesses Across America: U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Illegal Tariffs
Decision restores order to California’s economy and global markets, paves way for returning money to people harmed
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court holding that President Trump’s imposition of tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) is illegal. Today’s decision ends the President’s unlawful and chaotic tariff regime, which wreaked havoc on families and businesses nationwide.
“The Trump Administration’s illegal and chaotic tariff regime has come to an end. Today, the highest court in the country has agreed with arguments put forth by California, our sister states, and the dedicated businesses that decided to fight for their livelihoods and for what was right,” said Attorney General Bonta. “While this is great news, we must not forget the chaos that sent businesses, consumers, and global economies reeling. At a time when more and more families are struggling with affordability and having trouble paying for the basics — their utilities, groceries, gas — this Administration seems intent on making it more expensive for Californians and Americans to live. California celebrates today’s tremendous win and remains committed to tackling Donald Trump’s agenda to fuel the unaffordability crisis.”
Background:
States across the nation have rallied against the President’s unlawful tariffs, which have made the affordability crisis worse for millions of Americans. The President’s destructive and unpredictable tariff regime has sent shockwaves through financial markets, businesses, and consumers in every corner of the globe — including in California, home to the fourth-largest economy in the world and the country’s largest importer and second-largest exporter among the 50 states. The Administration’s tariffs imposed under IEEPA were projected to cost California’s economy $25 billion and result in the loss of over 64,000 jobs.
Attorney General Bonta has worked to challenge the President’s illegal tariffs on all fronts.
Last year, Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s unlawful use of power to impose tariffs without the consent of Congress. Attorney General Bonta has filed an amicus brief in the Court of International Trade in Oregon v. Trump as well as in the D.C. Circuit in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, cases challenging President Trump’s illegal imposition of tariffs, and filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump.
In addition, he has hosted roundtable discussions in San Francisco and Los Angeles with business leaders on the front lines of the tariff war to discuss the impacts of tariffs on industries across California.
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- April 2025 – Governor Newsom Files Lawsuit to End President Trump’s Tariffs
- March 2025 – Governor Newsom: “Tariffs are Taxes on American Families”
