California Gov. Gavin Newsom escalated his criticism of President Donald Trump on Friday after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s sweeping tariffs, declaring that Americans have been “illegally taxed” for more than a year and calling for refunds.

In a 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 when he imposed tariffs on imports from more than 100 countries. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote for the majority that the emergency statute’s authorization to “regulate” imports did not provide clear congressional approval to levy tariffs of broad scope and duration.

Donald Trump has been illegally taxing your groceries, furniture, and cars for over a year.

Time for a refund.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) February 20, 2026

Following the ruling, Newsom wrote on social media, “Donald Trump has been illegally taxing your groceries, furniture, and cars for over a year. Time for a refund.” His comments focused on the practical impact of the tariffs, which economists have said can raise prices for imported consumer goods and, in many cases, costs passed on to American households.

The Supreme Court did not specify what should happen to the billions of dollars already collected under the tariffs, leaving the matter to lower courts. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in dissent, cautioned that any effort to unwind payments could prove complicated. The administration has signaled it may pursue other statutory avenues to reimpose duties, though those authorities are narrower and subject to additional procedural requirements.

Newsom’s remarks come amid heightened tensions between California and the White House. In recent weeks, the governor has sharply criticized the administration’s rollback of federal climate regulations, including the rescission of the long-standing “endangerment finding” that underpins greenhouse gas regulation. He has portrayed those moves as economically damaging and out of step with global trends toward clean energy, arguing that California will continue advancing its own environmental policies regardless of federal direction.

I want to be clear: Donald Trump’s administration is temporary. California’s commitment is not.

He will be gone in three years. Our resolve to confront climate change is enduring and we remain a stable, reliable partner in that fight. pic.twitter.com/ki5ElmlxEs

— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) February 13, 2026

With the Supreme Court’s ruling limiting the president’s reliance on emergency powers to impose broad-based tariffs, and litigation over potential refunds still ahead, the clash between state and federal leaders over trade, economic policy and executive authority appears set to continue.