Trump Pressures Supreme Court on Birthright Citizenship as Justices Defend Independence

Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold his executive order restricting birthright citizenship, alternating between public attacks and private overtures as the court prepares to rule. Trump signed the order last year, asserting that children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents or those on temporary visas should not automatically receive citizenship. Lower courts blocked the order as unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment, sending the case to the Supreme Court.

In April, Trump became the first sitting president to attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court when he appeared for the birthright citizenship hearing. On May 22, he declared it would be a "disgrace" if the court ruled against him and suggested justices should be loyal to the president who appointed them. His relationship with the court has been volatile; after the court invalidated his sweeping tariffs in February, he called justices "fools and lap dogs," though his administration has since begun refunding the $160 billion collected.

The administration has also pursued softer tactics. Vice President JD Vance attended a private dinner with Chief Justice John Roberts, and Trump hosted six Republican-appointed justices at a state dinner. Both Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch have publicly pushed back. Roberts indirectly denounced harsh rhetoric against justices as dangerous, stating it has to stop. Gorsuch rejected the notion of personal loyalty, saying his loyalty is to the Constitution and the laws of the United States. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the president's right to speak about the court.