Sen John Kennedy calls Supreme Court tariff ruling a 'win' for Trump, says economy could 'roar'
WASHINGTON, DC: Sen John Kennedy (R-La) offered an upbeat take on the Supreme Court's decision to strike down President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping global tariffs, saying the ruling should ultimately be seen as a win for the White House.
In a 6–3 decision issued on Friday, February 20, the court ruled that Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) when he imposed broad tariffs on US trading partners.
While Democrats celebrated the ruling as a victory for consumers, Kennedy argued that the broader impact of Trump’s tariff strategy had been positive.
John Kennedy says Trump used tariffs to secure trade deals
Speaking on 'Fox & Friends Weekend' on Saturday, Kennedy said the outcome should not have surprised the administration.
“Stevie Wonder could see this decision coming,” Kennedy quipped, adding that the ruling does not erase what he sees as the president’s success in using tariffs as a negotiating tool.
“The president didn’t just sit around admiring that trade authority, that tariff authority,” Kennedy said. “He used it, and he used it to negotiate trade agreements.”
John Kennedy warns Democrats on tariff refunds
Kennedy also pushed back against Democratic calls to refund tariff revenue to businesses and consumers, suggesting such a move could supercharge the economy ahead of the midterm elections.
“My Democratic colleagues are saying, ‘Oh, give it back, give it back,’” he said.
“My Democratic peeps better be careful what they ask for, because if he gives back $300 billion worth of tariff money to the business community in America, this economy’s going to roar, man, and the midterms are only a few months off,” he added.
Billions in revenue at stake after court ruling
Tariff collections surged under Trump’s policy. In January alone, tariff revenue reached $30.4 billion, a 275% jump compared with January 2025.
The White House argued that the funds could be used to support domestic programs and help reduce the national debt, complicating the debate over refunds.
Kennedy questioned what should happen to the money already collected, noting that the ruling addressed presidential authority but not how past revenue should be handled.
Tariffs have become a defining feature of Trump’s second term. In 2025, the president declared the US trade deficit a “national emergency,” arguing that the IEEPA gave him broad authority to impose duties aimed at protecting American industry.
Kennedy defended that aggressive approach, using a characteristically colorful metaphor. “He believes in being a bear,” Kennedy said of Trump. “And he thinks if you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.”
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Kennedy suggested that Trump’s tariff-first strategy has already reshaped trade negotiations and could still yield political and economic dividends in the months ahead.
