The Supreme Court has ruled against President Donald Trump's broad tariffs on imports, sparking calls from some Democrats for refunds to be sent to Americans.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker have publicly demanded refunds of at least $1,700 per household, arguing that Americans have been illegally taxed on everyday goods. This push follows previous speculation about a Trump-proposed plan to send $2,000 tariff rebate checks to some citizens, the fate of which remains uncertain.

Americans have experienced the impact of tariffs through increased costs on products and unexpected bills. While a congressional report indicated the average family paid over $1,700 in tariff costs as of January, a Tax Foundation report estimated the average household cost at $1,000 in 2025. The feasibility of sending out large rebate checks has been met with skepticism from experts, citing insufficient tariff revenue and a lack of clear legal precedent for distributing such funds directly to citizens.

Economists suggest that any potential stimulus checks would likely need to come from alternative funding sources, unlike the COVID-19 pandemic stimulus which was authorized by Congress. Previous legislative efforts, such as Senator Josh Hawley's American Worker Rebate Act, have not advanced. Additionally, funds previously presented as tariff-related payments, like those to military members, were sourced from congressional allocations to the Defense Department.

The Supreme Court's decision, however, represents a victory for thousands of businesses, including major importers, who sued to reclaim billions in collected tariffs. While the Trump administration has indicated these companies would receive refunds, the process could be protracted, potentially spanning weeks or even a year. Experts maintain that tariff revenue was unlikely to fund widespread rebate checks and that the linkage was a strategic move to bolster support for an unpopular policy. The prospect of significant taxpayer rebates appears increasingly unlikely.