Illinois Governor JB Pritzker sharply criticized President Donald Trump following a Supreme Court setback on tariffs, calling him out for lashing out and doubling down on his destructive economic policies that are costing working families and small businesses thousands of dollars.
Appearing on MS NOW with host Jen Psaki, Pritzker described Trump’s press conference on Friday—held after the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 against his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs—as “unhinged.” According to Pritzker, the president appeared unable to accept limits on his authority, using the press conference to broadcast his temper tantrums while pivoting to another statute in an effort to reimpose his tariffs.
The governor argued the economic damage is already tangible. He cited estimates of roughly $1,700 per family in added costs tied to the president’s tariffs, describing them as a de facto tax increase on working and middle-class households. “This is the guy who lowered taxes on the wealthiest people,” Pritzker said, “and raised taxes on everyday folks going to the grocery store.”
Beyond consumers, Pritzker pointed to small businesses and farmers across Illinois. Soybean producers, he said, have been hit particularly hard as trade tensions disrupted exports to markets in the Far East, costing billions in sales. Many of those farmers, he noted, supported Trump.
Pritzker Sends Trump An $8.6 Billion Bill In Tariff Refunds For Illinois Residents
Pritzker has publicly called for rebates to return the estimated $1,700 per family, sending the White House an invoice for $8.6 billion in tariff refunds. When asked by Psaki how families and businesses might realistically recoup those costs, Pritzker said the president could simply authorize refunds but has shown no interest in doing so. Instead, he warned, businesses may spend years in court seeking repayment—all while tariffs are reimposed.
“If he actually gave a darn about working families,” Pritzker stated, “he would just institute the rebates that people should get. These refund checks should just come. That’s what he should do. He won’t do it because he actually doesn’t care about working families, and he thinks he’s right. And so he’s going to hold on to that money.”
“Think about the small business that just wants to get their money back,” Pritzker further added. “It may be years that they’re in court trying to get this money back. Meanwhile, he’s reimposing tariffs, so it’s getting worse for people.”
Psaki then turned the conversation to a segment on Fox News where host Laura Ingraham discussed Pritzker’s invoice to the White House with Stephen Miller, who bizarrely called the governor “economically illiterate,” “historically illiterate,” and “functionally illiterate.” Pritzker brushed off the attack. “I thought I was just living rent‑free in the president’s head. Apparently I’m living rent‑free in Stephen Miller’s head too,” he lightheartedly said, not taking Miller’s personal insults too seriously.
However, Pritzker emphasized his concerns about Miller and Trump’s broader policy impact. For the Illinois governor, the core issue is economic stability. He pointed out that tariffs have contributed to slower job growth and heightened uncertainty, with working families bearing the brunt. With the administration sidestepping the Supreme Court and moving to reimpose tariffs under a different legal authority, Pritzker warned that the cycle of economic disruption may only deepen.
