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Hi, all, and happy Friday!

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Well, it’s a big news day, and a very bad one if you’re Donald Trump. Why? Because SCOTUS issued a ruling this morning declaring his tariffs to be illegal.

From Punchbowl:

The Roberts-authored opinion is a methodical takedown of the president’s claims that he can unilaterally impose tariffs under IEEPA without seeking congressional approval.

Roberts noted that in the half-century existence of IEEPA, “no president has invoked the statute to impose any tariffs, let alone tariffs of this magnitude and scope.”

“Accordingly, the president must ‘point to clear congressional authorization’ to justify his extraordinary assertion of that power,” Roberts added. “He cannot.”

The majority opinion also notes that IEEPA does not authorize the raising of revenue, something Trump often mentions when justifying his tariff regime.

“And the fact that no president has ever found such power in IEEPA is strong evidence that it does not exist,” Roberts added.

Boom. This isn’t anything we didn’t know, but it’s a huge rebuke to Trump—an embarrassment, a loss, an absolute fail. He is obviously furious, and is already swearing he’ll find another way to levy these taxes. In fact, in a truly unhinged press conference this morning he seemed to imply that he was going to levy an additional 10% tariff on other countries in order to recoup any losses from SCOTUS’s ruling. In fact he claims nothing will change because he’ll find other ways to keep the tariffs in place. This won’t be as easy as he’s making it sound, but it is clear that he won’t go down without a fight.

If Trump does manage to keep some or all of the tariffs in place—a big if—Democrats should hammer him and Republicans about the pain those tariffs are causing every day.

If he fails? Are we about to see money back in our pockets? Will Congress find a way to refund consumers, small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and everyone else harmed by these taxes? Unlikely. Democrats, of course, will fight to try to make it happen—in fact Elizabeth Warren is already leading the charge—but there doesn’t seem to be an obvious mechanism by which to do it and Republicans, of course, won’t care to. SCOTUS didn’t rule on this question, and Trump said this morning that “we’ll end up being in court for the next five years” over it. So no one should hold their breath for refunds.

Probably the best thing about this ruling is that it shows that SCOTUS still has a tiny bit of independence in them—or at least that their loyalty lies more with corporate America than with MAGA (Punchbowl literally wrote “This is a towering win for U.S. business.”) More to the point, this is a flat rejection of Trump’s ability to do whatever he wants, regardless of the law. That matters.

So make no mistake—despite Trump’s bluster this is good news for our country. He has egg on his face; his worst impulses are (hopefully) hamstrung, Americans could get a bit of relief from skyrocketing prices, and the court’s move may serve to remind him that there are still some guardrails around his actions, if not as many as we need or want.

Finally, remember that Trump is a cult leader and a “father figure” to his followers. As such, losing is particularly galling to him. First, of course, because his ego can’t tolerate it, but also because “strict Daddies” don’t lose. Ever. So this not only hurts Trump, but it provides yet more proof to his followers that he’s not invulnerable, that he can make mistakes, and that someone else can make him do things. This eats away at their awe. It seems dumb to us—because we see his flaws clearly—but for them this will be a big deal. Trump’s not supposed to fail. And boy, did he.

Anyway. We also learned today that economic growth slowed sharply in the fourth quarter of 2025. Oh, and that the overall trade deficit remained virtually unchanged in 2025 despite Trump’s (illegal) tariffs. So it hasn’t been a good day for team Trump.

Of course, ICE is still ravaging our country, Trump is saying he’s going to transfer 10B of taxpayer money to the Board of Peace as part of what seems to be a real estate deal in Gaza (but “both parties are the same!”) and all kinds of other craziness is happening. But we’re still here, still fighting, and notching some major wins, so pat yourself on the back!

And then join me in getting to work.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

First, I want the Senator to vote no on all Republican voter suppression bills like the SAVE Act, the MEGA Act, or any others.

Second, I understand that Democrats have already prepared bills to force refunds to small businesses and consumers from Trump’s illegal tariffs. I want the Senator to support them. Small businesses need to be made whole and so do we.

Finally I am livid about Trump’s plan to transfer 10B of our money to the bogus “Board of Peace.” By what law is he doing that? None! Congress needs to stop that transfer or face the wrath of taxpayers in November. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

I understand that Democrats have already prepared bills to force refunds to small businesses and consumers from Trump’s illegal tariffs. I want the Congressmember to support them. Small businesses need to be made whole and so do we.

[If Republican optional add:] And shame on Republicans for letting this go on for so long. You could have stopped it any time.

Also Pam Bondi needs to go. She’s participating in a massive coverup of sex crimes and pedophilia. Impeach her.

Extra Credit ✅

Juana is nine months pregnant and locked in Dilley detention Center with her two small kids, ages 2 and 8. 𝗦𝗵𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. ⁣Please call Dilley and demand her safe release with her children into the U.S.⁣

DILLEY: (830) 378-6500⁣

Reports include worms in their food, guards shouting orders and snatching toys from small hands, restless nights under fluorescent lights that never fully go dark, and hours in line for a single pill. ⁣

No one should give birth in such conditions. Please demand her immediate release. ⁣

[H/T Each Step Home]

Extra Credit for Medical Professionals!

My friend Dr. Anita Patel, a pediatric ER doctor, has put together a letter from healthcare workers to support the protection, release, and medical care of children in government custody. If you fall into that category will you sign and share with others in your field? It closes on Sunday and will be shared with Congressional leadership.

Read the letter and sign here.

Get Smart! 📚

Locked Out and Left Behind

Why do so many working- and lower-income Americans sit out elections — even when the issues affect their lives most directly?

In a timely conversation, Rural urban Bridge Initiative invites you to explore new research on what’s often called “voter apathy” and uncover a different story: many people who don’t vote aren’t disengaged from their communities, they’re disengaged from a political system they experience as distant, unresponsive, and built for someone else.

Swarthmore sociologist Daniel Laurison, who led the study, will walk us through findings from his latest research, Understanding the Political Disconnect, which examines why trust in political institutions is low among lower-income Americans, how feelings of exclusion shape participation, and what meaningful engagement might actually require.

Register for Briefing

Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣

Do’s and Don’ts about Discussing ICE and Immigration from Navigator polling:

As lawmakers discuss guardrails and reforms to ICE and stopping Trump’s unpopular immigration agenda, these topics will continue to dominate news coverage for the days and weeks ahead. Recent polling from Navigator found Americans are overwhelmingly supportive of reforms to ICE. There’s also support for withholding funding from ICE if Democrats in Congress don’t get the reforms they’re looking for, even if it risks a government shutdown.

Here are some tips to effectively communicate about immigration and ICE.

This is a short doc and really worth the read.

Give 💰!

Each Step Home still needs commissary money badly for the kids and moms detained in Dilley. Just putting it here one more time in case you missed it earlier this week. (They are also helping baby Juan Nicolas and his family get flown to and settled in Guatamala since Trump deported them. Baby Juan is doing better, by the way!)

Give here.

Get in the Streets! 🪧

March 7th - Rally to Take Back Science 12-3pm, National Mall.

One year after the movement-defining Stand Up For Science protest that launched the fight for science and democracy in 2025, we’re taking to the streets again on Saturday, March 7th in Washington, DC and in 23 cities across America, including Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and Chicago, with more locations being confirmed every day.

Call to Action:

1. Share!

2. Sign up to volunteer in Washington, DC ;

3. Sign-up to host a local event ; and

4. Endorse the rally as an organization.

Check out their flyers for sharing and launch video!

Win Races! 🗳

Virginia Needs You!

Help stop Trump’s midterm election power grab. Virginia has a special election April 21 to level the playing field through a Redistricting Constitutional Amendment letting voters, not politicians, decide.

Postcards4VA has two postcard campaigns — and they’d love your help with both!

They’re writing to:

Because the postcards need to include both voter education and key election details, you have to use their postcards with the preprinted message and QR code on the back. There’s still plenty of room for you to add a personal note — and that personal touch truly makes a difference.

To get started, you need to be registered with Postcards4VA. Then they’ll walk you through ordering the cards and getting started!

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[To: all 3 reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PDGWEY to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]

(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)

I’m writing to urge you to immediately intervene to stop the Department of Homeland Security’s plan to purchase and convert warehouses across the country into mega immigration detention centers.

The Trump administration is pursuing an unprecedented expansion of detention capacity as part of its plan to deport one million people per year. DHS is now moving to detain men, women, and children in warehouse-style facilities never designed for human confinement. This is a dangerous escalation that will lead to overcrowding, medical neglect, and preventable deaths.

Congress has both the authority and responsibility to stop this. DHS cannot build this detention network without funding, oversight, and political cover from elected officials. You must act now before these contracts are finalized and these facilities begin operating in communities across the country.

I urge you to immediately block funding for warehouse detention expansion, demand full public disclosure of all planned sites and contracts, and hold oversight hearings on detention conditions and deaths in custody. Congress must also pursue humane alternatives to detention that protect public safety and uphold basic human rights.

The American people do not want secret mega detention centers built in their communities. We demand accountability, transparency, and an end to the expansion of mass detention.

OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess