Trump attacks Supreme Court over birthright

President Donald Trump used a May 21 Oval Office appearance to warn the Supreme Court against preserving birthright citizenship, calling such an outcome “a disgrace” and “a great disservice” to the country. The comments came as the court prepares to rule on his administration’s effort to narrow automatic citizenship for some children born in the United States. Trump tied the issue to illegal immigration and said he hoped the justices would “do what’s right.” His remarks followed a separate clash with the court over tariffs earlier this year. ### What exactly did Trump say? Trump told reporters on Thursday that it would be “a disgrace” if the Supreme Court allowed birthright citizenship to remain in place, according to video reports from NBC News and CBS News. In the same appearance, he said the justices would do “a great disservice” if they upheld the current interpretation of the Constitution’s citizenship guarantee. (cbsnews.com) The White House remarks were directed at a pending case over Trump’s January 2025 executive order, which seeks to deny automatic citizenship to some children born in the United States to parents who are in the country unlawfully or temporarily. Newsweek and other outlets reported the comments as the administration awaited a ruling expected before the court leaves for the summer. (cbsnews.com) ### What case is the court deciding? The Supreme Court heard arguments on April 1 in Trump v. Barbara, a case testing whether Trump’s order is consistent with the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment and federal citizenship law. Oyez describes the dispute as asking whether Executive Order 14160 can lawfully deny birthright citizenship to children born in the United States when their parents lack permanent legal status or hold temporary visas. (newsweek.com) Reuters reported that Trump attended the April 1 arguments, a historic first for a sitting president at the Supreme Court. During that session, Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued for the administration, while challengers said the order conflicts with longstanding constitutional practice and precedent. (usnews.com) ### Why is birthright citizenship at issue now? Trump signed the order on his first day back in office as part of a broader immigration agenda. The policy was quickly challenged in court, and lower courts blocked it from taking effect. Reuters and SCOTUSblog reported that the dispute returned to the justices after those rulings and after broader fights over nationwide injunctions. (usnews.com) SCOTUSblog said the April arguments suggested skepticism from at least some justices about the administration’s position. U.S. News, citing questions from the bench, reported this week that Trump could face a loss in the birthright case when the court resumes issuing opinions. ### How does this connect to Trump’s recent attacks on the court? (usnews.com) The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on February 20 that Trump’s sweeping global tariffs exceeded presidential authority under the emergency-powers law he invoked. Reuters said the decision was written by Chief Justice John Roberts and prompted an angry response from Trump, who denounced the justices who ruled against him. (scotusblog.com) That tariff ruling has become part of Trump’s public argument about the court. Newsweek reported that he recently linked a possible adverse birthright decision to what he called the court’s tariff “catastrophe,” including criticism of members of the conservative majority. ### What happens next at the Supreme Court? (usnews.com) The court heard the birthright arguments on April 1 and is expected to issue its decision before the end of the term. U.S. News reported on May 20 that the justices were set to continue releasing opinions on Thursday, with the birthright case among the major Trump-related matters still pending. (newsweek.com) Any ruling in Trump v. Barbara would determine whether the administration can enforce Executive Order 14160 or whether the policy remains blocked. The next public marker is the court’s opinion release schedule in the closing weeks before the justices begin their summer recess. (oyez.org) (usnews.com)