Dems refuse to make 2024 mistakes in the wake of tariff ruling

Politico

by By Samuel Benson and Alec Hernandez

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Democrats are shifting their focus away from legal arguments about President Donald Trump’s tariffs following the Supreme Court’s ruling, instead emphasizing the impact of rising prices on everyday Americans. Rather than dwelling on whether Trump is violating the law, Democratic campaigns are doubling down on the message that tariffs are making life more expensive for families across the country. This strategic pivot reflects a broader effort to connect economic concerns with voter priorities, particularly as midterm elections approach. The party’s new approach contrasts sharply with its 2024 strategy, when candidates frequently warned of “lawlessness” and threats to democracy under Trump. Now, Democrats are framing the issue around affordability, with Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) stating that the focus is on holding Republicans accountable for raising prices. Even as the Supreme Court invalidated a key part of Trump’s trade agenda, Democrats are avoiding discussions of executive overreach or legal nuances, instead tying the tariffs directly to grocery bills and household expenses. Legislation proposing to refund tariff revenue to small businesses has gained traction among Democrats, with Reps. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.) introducing a bill to do so. Polling data supports this focus: a plurality of Americans believe tariffs are harming the economy, making affordability a potent political issue. Strategists like Andrew Mamo see this as an opportunity for Democrats to highlight Trump’s role in driving up costs, regardless of legal technicalities. This shift underscores the importance of economic messaging in shaping voter sentiment. With voters increasingly pessimistic about the economy, Democrats are betting that emphasizing affordability will resonate more effectively than legal arguments. The strategy also aligns with recent victories in battleground states, where candidates successfully campaigned on cost-of-living issues. By focusing on tangible concerns like higher prices for groceries and housing, Democrats aim to connect their economic agenda with voter priorities, potentially swinging key districts in the 2026 midterm elections. Ultimately, this approach reflects a recognition of the political landscape: voters care less about legal battles over tariffs than they do about how these policies affect their wallets. By framing the issue around affordability, Democrats are aiming to capitalize on widespread economic anxieties while avoiding the pitfalls of past strategies that emphasized Trump’s alleged overreach. This focus on everyday pocketbook issues could prove to be a winning message in the coming election cycle.

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Originally published on Politico on 2/23/2026