Trump’s Bold Birthright Citizenship Shake‑Up
What the President Said
In a surprising Axios interview, President Donald Trump declared he’d be tearing out a constitutional guarantee that anyone born on U.S. soil automatically gets citizenship. The big headline came just a week before the midterm elections, which is no coincidence – his anti‑immigration drumbeat is on full throttle.
A “Stroke of the Pen”?
Trump told Axios he thinks a simple executive order can snap this rule. “I was told it took a constitutional amendment. Guess what? It doesn’t,” he said, waving off the 14th Amendment’s heavy‑handed language as if it were a paperclip.
He added, “We’re the only country in the world that births a citizen just because someone’s got a baby. It’s ridiculous and it has to end.”
Reality Check: The 14th Amendment
- Section 1 grants citizenship to people born or naturalized in the U.S., subject to its jurisdiction.
- Changing it needs a two‑thirds vote in both chambers of Congress – a nearly impossible feat when partisanship is at a fever pitch.
Republican Response
House Speaker Paul Ryan hammered home that an executive order can’t touch birthright law, calling it a “very, very lengthy constitutional process.”
But Senator Lindsey Graham was quick to champion Trump. “Finally, a president willing to tackle the absurd b‑right policy,” he tweeted, labeling it a “magnet for illegal immigration.”
The Bottom Line of the Amendment
The amendment in question reads: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Trump’s plan will spark a legal showdown over what those words really mean. The debate could get heated, especially with the midterms looming.
The Bigger Picture: Border Tensions
At the same time, Trump dispatched over 5,000 regular troops to the Mexican border – a rare move that followed his warnings of a rumored “invasion.” He claims militias and gang members make up the caravans of Central American migrants inching north. While genuine human‑rights concerns exist, he’s been critical of the migrants’ safety and depicted the situation as a national emergency.
Why It Matters Now
With Democrats eyeing control of at least part of Congress on November 6, Trump’s insurgent stance on immigration could swing June‑seeker voters. His statements have often sparked volatility, especially after incidents like the Pittsburgh synagogue attack, which some say was partly fueled by his inflammatory rhetoric.
Takeaway
Trump’s plan to abolish birthright citizenship is more than a policy tweak – it’s a full‑blown constitutional showdown. If the President gets a simple order to go on, we’ll need to watch how Congress, the courts, and the public respond. The midterm polls are already turning into a battleground for the future of American identity and immigration law.
