LANSING, Mich. – Governor Whitmer has led 19 states in submitting a letter calling on congressional leadership to adhere to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on imposing tariffs. This letter comes in the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, which ruled that a large set of President Trump’s tariffs were enacted illegally. 

“Tariffs have jacked up costs on cars, groceries, energy, and housing, and Michiganders are paying the price,” said Governor Whitmer. “Now, the Supreme Court has ruled that a large swath of the administration’s tariffs are illegal. Congress must act to rein in these irresponsible tariff policies and put more money back in Michiganders’ pockets. Let’s work together to develop a commonsense trade policy that lowers costs, brings jobs home, and reduces uncertainty for families and businesses. Let’s work with our allies to get this done.”  

The letter, signed by 19 governors from across the United States, calls on Congress to limit the scope of presidential power over tariffs and urges  them to enact appropriate review. President Trump began imposing tariffs shortly after taking office, and by late 2025, two-thirds of Americans expressed concern. A Fox News poll last month found that Trump’s tariffs faced 63% disapproval even before the Supreme Court’s ruling.  

“The Supreme Court has spoken, and now it is Congress’s turn to act. We urge you to seize this moment, work across party lines, and restore to the American people meaningful control over trade policy that affects their daily lives.”  

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Trump’s invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) did not give him the authority to impose sweeping tariffs, making the President’s tariff policy illegal. The decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump affirmed that the power to levy tariffs lies with Congress, not the President. Following this ruling, Michigan also joined 24 states in suing the Trump administration for its misuse of Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act to justify a new set of tariffs and their harmful impact on the American people.  

To view the full letter, click here. 

Lowering Costs for Michiganders  

Governor Whitmer has been focused on lowering costs for Michiganders. Since taking office, the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration has:  

• Rolled back the retirement tax to save 500,000 households an average of $1,000 a year.   

• Quintupled the Michigan Working Families Tax Credit to give over 650,000 working families an average tax refund of more than $3,800.   

• Ended state taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security.   

• Signed a deal raising the minimum wage to $15/hour one year ahead of schedule for more than 700,000 workers and making Michigan’s earned sick time the best in the country, while providing more flexibility for small businesses.   

• Established Michigan Reconnect to offer any Michigander 25 and older tuition-free associate’s degree or skills certificate.   

• Established the Michigan Achievement Scholarship to save students thousands of dollars a year as they pursue a skills certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree.   

• Expanded access to free pre-K to every four-year-old, saving families average of $14,000 a year and helping every kid arrive at kindergarten better prepared to learn.   

• Delivered refunds of $400 per vehicle back in the pockets of Michigan drivers.   

• Announced the MI Open Account Coalition offering low or no-cost financial services, saving 120,000 eligible families an average of $3,000 a year and helping them build wealth.