By Trendsetter Tribune 
WASHINGTON — In a rare and decisive break from his former running mate, former Vice President Mike Pence issued a statement on Friday, February 20, 2026, praising the Supreme Court’s ruling to strike down the administration’s global tariff regime. Pence, who has increasingly positioned himself as a defender of traditional conservative principles, hailed the 6–3 decision as a triumph of constitutional order over executive overreach.
The statement marks a significant moment of public dissent from the former Vice President, who had previously remained largely supportive of the administration’s broader goals.
The Pence Statement: “Separation of Powers”
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the ruling in Learning Resources v. Trump, Pence framed the decision not as a political loss for the President, but as a structural win for the American system of government.
- On the Power to Tax: “Our Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the Constitution grants Congress – not the President – the power to tax,” Pence wrote.
- On Economic Relief: He argued that the ruling would provide immediate relief to domestic interests: “American families and American businesses pay American tariffs – not foreign countries. With this decision, [they] can breathe a sigh of relief.”
- On Free Trade: Pence concluded by calling for a return to traditional GOP economic policy: “America can now return to the pursuit of Free Trade with Free Nations under the Constitution!”
A Growing Rift on Trade
Pence’s “victory lap” follows months of quiet advocacy against the tariffs through his non-profit, Advancing American Freedom (AAF).
| Date | Action by Pence / AAF |
| Nov 2025 | AAF filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court case, arguing that the President’s use of emergency powers to tax was “unprecedented and unconstitutional.” |
| Jan 2026 | Pence appeared on Bloomberg to express his “hope” that the Court would overturn the policies, citing their damage to the “American worker’s wallet.” |
| Feb 2026 | AAF issued a report claiming that tariff-related lobbying on K Street had surged 500%, enriching “swamp” insiders at the expense of “Main Street.” |
Contrasting Republican Reactions
Pence’s praise for the ruling aligns him with a small but vocal “Free Trade” wing of the GOP, creating a clear contrast with the party’s current leadership.
- The Pence/Paul Bloc: Pence found common ground with Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), both of whom characterized the ruling as a “common-sense” restoration of checks and balances.
- The MAGA Rebuke: Conversely, Speaker Mike Johnson and other Trump allies labeled the ruling a “betrayal” of the American worker and called for immediate legislation to codify the tariffs into law.
The Political Subtext: 2028?
Political analysts are viewing Pence’s bluntness as a strategic move to define himself ahead of the 2028 election cycle. By “calling out” the economic impact of the tariffs—which the administration has insisted are paid by foreign nations—Pence is attempting to reclaim the mantle of the “Reagan-style” fiscal conservative.
Today’s 6-3 ruling by the Supreme Court is a Victory for the American People and a Win for the Separation of Powers enshrined in the Constitution of the United States.
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) February 20, 2026
In Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, our Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the Constitution grants Congress -…