'They've stolen from you': Dems sharpen economic message on tariffs

Democrats across the United States are sharpening their economic message against President Donald Trump's tariff policies in Washington and battleground states throughout February 2026, shifting focus from the legal violations highlighted by the Supreme Court's recent ruling to the tangible impact on American households' wallets, as the party bets that affordability concerns will resonate more strongly with voters than constitutional debates. This strategic shift represents a significant departure from the party's 2024 approach, which emphasized the lawlessness of a potential second Trump term and threats to American democracy. Democratic campaigns now consistently argue that Trump's tariffs are directly raising prices on groceries, housing, and other household expenses regardless of their legal standing, with Rep. Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, stating the party remains 'laser focused on affordability and holding Republicans accountable for raising prices on families across the country.' Even as Trump announced plans to use Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a 15 percent global tariff following the court decision, Democrats have responded by introducing legislation to refund tariff revenue to consumers and small businesses. Reps. Steven Horsford and Janelle Bynum have proposed refunds to small businesses, while Sens. Ron Wyden, Ed Markey, and Jeanne Shaheen backed similar measures with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's support. Governors like JB Pritzker of Illinois and Gavin Newsom of California have amplified this message by demanding specific refund amounts, with Pritzker calling for $1,700 per household and Newsom asserting that Trump 'has an obligation' to return money to consumers who paid more for goods. Democratic operatives point to polling showing a 45 percent plurality of Americans believe higher tariffs are damaging the U.S. economy in both the short and long term, and they highlight recent off-cycle victories in New Jersey, Virginia and elsewhere where candidates made cost-of-living central to their pitch. As vulnerable Republicans and GOP strategists who quietly cheered the court decision worry about heading into a heated, economy-focused election on their back foot, Democrats see Trump's insistence on keeping his tariff program alive as fuel for their affordability message. 'We can't communicate episodically,' said Democratic consultant Will Robinson. 'We need to be communicating constantly. I think the theoretical thing about the Supreme Court and tariffs is less impactful than what's actually going on in the grocery basket.'