The White House Director of the National Economic Council, Kevin Hassett, stated on Sunday that if the Supreme Court rules to cancel the tariff measures put in place by President Trump and demands the return of collected import tariffs, it would pose a significant “administrative challenge.”
Hassett, speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation” program on Sunday, said, “We really expect the Supreme Court to support us.”
He believes that even if the court does not rule in favor of the Trump administration’s tariff policies, it is “unlikely to order a broad refund because the administrative challenge of how to return these tariffs would be significant.”
He explained that refunding the collected tariff money would require first paying these costs to the recorded importers, who would then distribute them to downstream foreign customers, a complexity that would hinder the court from issuing such an order.
Upon returning to the White House, Trump imposed tariffs on dozens of countries under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a legal challenge to this action is currently under review by the Supreme Court.
The Trump administration has prepared alternative plans in case of an unfavorable ruling to continue collecting import tariffs. However, the White House has publicly stated that the likelihood of losing the case is low.
Hassett is considered one of the main candidates to replace Jerome Powell as the Federal Reserve Chairman. He emphasized that the complexity of refunding tariffs would impact the court’s decision on this matter.
Hassett also mentioned that the substantial tariff revenue has greatly increased the possibility of issuing a one-time $2000 “tax rebate bonus” to the American people.
Previously, Trump has proposed this idea several times to distribute some of the tariff revenues to the American people to alleviate their cost of living pressures. However, some Republican lawmakers have not yet accepted this proposal.
Hassett said, “In the summer, I was not sure if we had the ability to issue such checks, but now I am quite confident about it.”
He also noted that the American economy is growing, the government deficit is decreasing, and he expects the President to formally propose the suggestion to Congress in the new year to make it a reality.
Additionally, the Trump administration is developing measures to improve people’s housing affordability and plans to officially announce them in the early next year.
According to reports, Hassett revealed on a Fox News program on Sunday, “We have a list that we will submit to the President.”
He mentioned that after Christmas, the team will review next year’s plans most of the time at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. “We have a long list of ideas on housing issues carefully reviewed by the cabinet secretaries, which will be submitted to the President within one or two weeks.”
As the Federal Reserve has not been able to significantly lower interest rates as desired by Trump, although as of December 18, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate for the week had dropped to 6.21%, nearing a low point in 2025, it is still considerably higher than about 3% a few years ago.
Recent developments indicate that an unfavorable Supreme Court ruling may force the US government to refund up to $100 billion in tariffs. As multiple American companies like Costco have filed lawsuits and claims, hoping for the court to overturn the tariff measures.
On the evening of the 17th, Trump announced in a national address that he would issue a $1776 “Warrior Bonus” to nearly 1.5 million American soldiers.
He said, due to tariff revenues exceeding expectations, “In commemoration of our nation’s founding in 1776, we are issuing $1776 to each soldier. No one deserves it more than our troops.”
Recently, after partial import tariff reductions on items such as coffee, oranges, and cocoa, monthly tariff revenue decreased from $31.35 billion in October to $30.76 billion in November. This marks the first decline since Trump implemented the tariffs.