02-23-2026 - Tariff Refunds Battle, Supreme Court Climate Case, Recent Polling

After the Supreme Court of the United States struck down President Trump’s IEEPA-based tariffs, Senate Democrats proposed the Tariff Refund Act of 2026 to return roughly $175 billion in collected duties, prioritizing small businesses. Trump’s approval has fallen to 39%, with about 60% disapproving of his handling of tariffs and inflation, giving Democrats midterm openings in red and battleground states, as Gavin Newsom urged a focus on cost-of-living issues. Meanwhile, courts and foreign policy tensions remain central, including climate litigation before the Supreme Court, Judge Aileen Cannon blocking Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report, renewed trade friction with the EU, rising Iran tensions, and cartel violence in Mexico.