Washington, United States. U.S. Supreme Court justices on Wednesday signaled skepticism about the legality of President Donald Trump’s directive to restrict birthright citizenship, as the court heard arguments in the administration’s appeal of a lower court ruling that blocked the order.
Trump attends arguments and leaves midway
Trump attended the oral argument in a historic appearance at the Supreme Court, sitting in the front row of the public gallery in the courtroom after arriving by motorcade from the White House. Wearing a red tie and dark suit, he left midway through the proceedings shortly after the Justice Department lawyer arguing for his administration finished his presentation.
According to Clare Cushman, the resident historian of the Supreme Court Historical Society, Trump became the first sitting president to attend a Supreme Court oral argument. He was joined by White House Counsel David Warrington, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and was at the courthouse for a little more than an hour and a half.
Justices question executive order’s validity
The nine justices, including conservatives and liberals, questioned the legal basis and practical implications of Trump’s executive order. The Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority.
The justices heard more than two hours of arguments in the administration’s appeal of a lower court decision that blocked Trump’s directive. The order instructed U.S. agencies not to recognize the citizenship of children born in the United States if neither parent is an American citizen or a legal permanent resident, also known as a green card holder.
Administration argues against automatic citizenship
U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer, representing the administration, told the justices that most nations do not grant automatic birthright citizenship.
“It demeans the priceless and profound gift of American citizenship,” Sauer said. “It operates as a powerful pull factor for illegal immigration and rewards illegal aliens who not only violate the immigration laws but also jump in front of those who follow the rules.”
The Pew Research Center says the United States is among 33 countries with automatic birthright citizenship policies.
Trump comments after hearing
Trump wrote on social media shortly after the arguments that the United States is “STUPID” for having birthright citizenship. He later said during an event at the White House that the “Supreme Court’s not been acting very well,” and that some justices he appointed want to show their independence. Trump called them “Stupid people.”
Lower court cites constitutional and statutory violations
The lower court found that Trump’s directive violated citizenship language in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as well as a federal law codifying birthright citizenship rights, in a class-action lawsuit brought by parents and children whose citizenship is threatened by the directive.
What do you think the Supreme Court’s ruling could mean for families affected by the directive?