Pence Celebrates Supreme Court’s Landmark Ruling Striking Down Trump Tariffs as ‘Major Constitutional Victory’

By Nicole Weatherholtz | Friday, February 20, 2026 04:10 PM EST

Former Vice President Mike Pence on Friday praised the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision overturning numerous Trump administration tariffs, labeling it a major constitutional victory.

The high court ruled that President Donald Trump unlawfully invoked an emergency statute to impose broad tariffs on U.S. trading partners, stating such authority belongs exclusively to Congress.

“In Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, our Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the Constitution grants Congress — not the President — the power to tax,” Pence stated on X following the ruling. “American families and American businesses pay American tariffs — not foreign countries. With this decision, American families and businesses can breathe a sigh of relief.”

Pence, who has frequently opposed Trump on economic policy since leaving office, previously described the tariff announcement as a “misstep” in an exclusive interview with The Hill last April.

“I don’t think the American people were voting for what would amount to the largest peacetime tax hike in American history,” he said at the time. “The tariffs that were announced last week, if left in place, would certainly be such a hike and impose significant hardship on working families and businesses large and small.”

Pence is the founder of Advancing American Freedom, a conservative advocacy group focused on limited government and free-market principles.

In his social media post, Pence noted that his organization’s amicus brief program collaborated on the legal challenge to the tariffs.

“With this historic decision, America can now return to the pursuit of Free Trade with Free Nations under the Constitution of the United States!” Pence wrote on X.

Pence also shared an excerpt from Justice Neil Gorsuch’s concurring opinion, calling it “wisdom” and “principle.” The text read: “For those who think it important for the Nation to impose more tariffs, I understand that today’s decision will be disappointing. But if history is any guide, the tables will turn and the day will come when those disappointed by today’s result will appreciate the legislative process for the bulwark of liberty it is.”

Nicole Weatherholtz is a Newsmax general assignment reporter who covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.