Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship, Calls It “Blatantly Unconstitutional”
In a major legal setback for President Donald Trump’s administration, a federal judge in Seattle temporarily blocked an executive order aimed at curbing birthright citizenship. U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, a Reagan appointee, issued a temporary restraining order Thursday, halting the policy at the request of four Democratic-led states—Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon.
Signed by Trump on Monday, his first day back in office, the executive order sought to deny U.S. citizenship to children born in the United States if neither parent was a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The policy also aimed to prevent these children from accessing Social Security numbers, government benefits, and legal employment opportunities.
Judge Coughenour did not mince words during the hearing, calling the order “blatantly unconstitutional.” Citing the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, the judge questioned how the administration could justify such a policy. “I’ve been on the bench for over four decades, and I can’t recall a case where the question presented is as clear as this one,” Coughenour remarked. “It just boggles my mind.”
The judge’s ruling temporarily halts the policy nationwide for 14 days while he considers a longer-term preliminary injunction. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for February 6.
Washington state Assistant Attorney General Lane Polozola criticized the executive order, saying it would strip citizenship from children born in the U.S. starting February 19. “Under this order, babies born today wouldn’t count as U.S. citizens,” Polozola told the court.
Meanwhile, Justice Department lawyer Brett Shumate defended the order as constitutional and described the restraining order as “wildly inappropriate.” However, Judge Coughenour interrupted Shumate’s arguments, stating he had already signed the restraining order.
President Trump responded to the ruling by vowing to appeal, signaling a legal battle ahead over the controversial policy. The executive order, part of Trump’s hardline immigration agenda, represents a cornerstone of his second term in office.
