Trump needs Congress if he wants to keep his tariff regime

Published February 26, 2026 2:00pm ET



In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.

President Donald Trump used his first State of the Union of his second term to touch on the single most important issue to a discontented electorate: the cost-of-living crisis created by former President Joe Biden. But only briefly. After quickly paying lip service to his landmark One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its corresponding tax cuts and investment accounts for children, the president pivoted to his true passion: tariffs.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.