Trump Calls for Ending Birthright Citizenship After Supreme Court Ruling
Following a significant ruling from the Supreme Court, President Donald Trump expressed on Tuesday that Congress should immediately work to abolish birthright citizenship.
In a closely contested 5-4 decision, the court determined that Trump’s executive order concerning birthright citizenship was in violation of the 14th Amendment. However, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who agreed with the majority opinion, argued that while the order was at odds with federal law, it didn’t specifically contravene the 14th Amendment. This suggests that Congress has the potential to amend federal laws regarding this issue.
Trump is advocating for legislative action. In a post on Truth Social, he lamented, “The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, which is unfortunate for our country. However, this can be remedied in Congress with the backing of the President.” He added, “We don’t need lengthy constitutional amendments! Congress should get started today on ending birthright citizenship, which is both costly and unjust for our nation. They have my full support!”
As noted by Breitbart News, Trump’s directive from January 2025 states that “the privileges of U.S. citizenship do not automatically apply to those born in the U.S.,” nor to children of mothers unlawfully present in the country or those with fathers who aren’t U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. It also applies to cases where the mother’s legal presence was temporary at the time of the birth.
In response to the court’s decision, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) stated that birthright citizenship has been “grossly abused.” He remarked, “It’s been misused. Originally, it served an important purpose, but it has been turned around and exploited. We will continue to examine this issue.” Johnson commented on the ruling’s inclination toward a constitutional amendment as a solution.
He further noted, “This has only happened 27 times in our nation’s history, mainly due to the rigorous requirements for ratification: two-thirds of both chambers and three-quarters of the states. It’s a complex process that often spans years.” Johnson concluded, expressing disappointment in the ruling and highlighting the challenges it may pose for the future, stating, “We need to tackle this as Congress.”
