Trump becomes first sitting president to attend Supreme Court hearing

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments today in a critical hearing regarding an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump that reinterprets the long-standing application of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which defines everyone born in the U.S. as a U.S. citizen.

Trump became the first sitting president to attend a Supreme Court hearing by appearing in person for the session addressing his executive order, which aims to end the practice of birthright citizenship on U.S. soil.

Supreme Court justices heard arguments from the Trump administration's appeal and the plaintiffs following a lower court ruling that blocked the executive order, which had sparked backlash from immigrants and pro-immigrant groups in the U.S.

Trump was accompanied by cabinet members

Trump arrived at the hearing shortly before oral arguments began. He sat in the front row of the public section of the courtroom, accompanied by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

"We are the only country in the world stupid enough to allow birthright citizenship"

Trump, who sat silently during his time at the hearing, left the courtroom alone after the oral arguments of U.S. Supreme Court Advocate John Sauer, who serves as legal counsel for the American government. In a short statement shared on his social media account after the hearing, which lasted more than an hour, Trump said, "We are the only country in the world stupid enough to allow birthright citizenship."

The oral arguments of the parties regarding the executive order, which was suspended by a lower court on the grounds that it was unconstitutional, lasted more than two hours. Cecillia Wang, the attorney for the plaintiffs, stated during the hearing, "Ask any American you want how the citizenship law is interpreted. Everyone will tell you that anyone born here is a citizen."

Trump administration lawyer Sauer argued that neither illegal immigration nor the problems posed by temporary visitors were an issue at the time the constitutional amendment was drafted.

Trump had signed the executive order on his first day in office

The controversial case centers on an executive order Trump signed on January 20, 2025, his first day in office after being re-elected, which aims to prevent birthright citizenship for children of parents who are in the U.S. with illegal or temporary status.

With the executive order, Trump had stipulated that parents must prove their own legal status before citizenship is granted to children born in the U.S.

The executive order, which did not go into effect because it was found unconstitutional by a lower court, is argued to be in violation of the constitutional amendment that stipulates that everyone born in the U.S. or U.S.-affiliated territories is considered an American citizen.

The Trump administration argues that the relevant article of the Constitution was intended to enable the children of slaves who gained their freedom in the U.S. to acquire American citizenship, and that the article is currently being exploited by illegal immigrants and tourists who give birth in the U.S. to obtain American citizenship for their children. Pro-immigrant advocates, on the other hand, argue that the Trump administration is trying to rewrite citizenship rules in the U.S., a nation of immigrants.

The U.S. administration, which argues that the relevant article of the Constitution is interpreted too broadly, had appealed the lower court's decision, and the U.S. Supreme Court had agreed to review the case.

A final ruling in the critical case is expected to be announced by the end of June or early July.

Protest outside the court

Outside the court, those who defend the right to birthright citizenship held a protest. Protesters chanted slogans against Trump.