Trump Attends Supreme Court Session on Birthright Citizenship
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a move unprecedented for a sitting president, Donald Trump quietly took a seat in the front row of the public gallery at the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The president, known for his command of the spotlight, became a silent observer as the justices deliberated over his executive order concerning birthright citizenship.
Accompanying Trump were Attorney General Pam Bondi and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who joined him to witness the defense of his administration’s contentious policy. The session drew attention as justices from both liberal and conservative backgrounds, including three Trump nominees, rigorously questioned the administration’s lawyer about the proposed changes to citizenship rights.
After listening for an hour and a half, Trump exited the courtroom during the opposing arguments, later criticizing the notion of birthright citizenship on social media by declaring, “We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow ‘Birthright’ Citizenship!”
Despite Trump’s claim, about three dozen countries offer citizenship to those born within their borders. Trump’s social media outburst added to his ongoing criticisms of the Supreme Court and its justices.
Recently, Trump expressed disappointment with the six justices who deemed parts of his tariff policy illegal, questioning their patriotism and particularly criticizing Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, both appointed by him, labeling them “an embarrassment to their families.”
Chief Justice John Roberts recently commented on the importance of respecting federal judges, without mentioning Trump, emphasizing that personal criticism is “dangerous and it’s got to stop.”
Legal experts suggest that Trump’s presence at the court was possibly an attempt to influence the justices, although such strategies are deemed ineffective. Adam Winkler from UCLA highlighted the justices’ commitment to independence, while Harvard’s Richard Re likened Trump’s visit to justices attending the State of the Union address.
Adding to the courtroom’s atmosphere was actor Robert DeNiro, a known critic of Trump, seated in the guest box reserved for friends and family of the justices. Despite the charged environment, there was no interaction between DeNiro and Trump.
