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United States President Donald Trump has once again questioned the long-standing interpretation of birthright citizenship, arguing that the principle was historically intended only for children born to enslaved people.
His remarks came during an interview with POLITICO, at a time when the US Supreme Court prepares to hear a major case on the issue.
Trump links citizenship clause to Civil War era
Speaking to POLITICO, Trump said the case underpinning birthright citizenship “was meant for the babies of slaves” and should be read in the context of post-Civil War reforms. He added, “if you look at the dates on the case, it was exactly having to do with the Civil War,” describing the provision as narrowly tailored for that era.
According to Trump, the original ruling did not anticipate modern-day situations involving foreign nationals entering the country briefly. “That case was not meant from some rich person coming from another country, dropping... putting a foot in our country, and all of a sudden their whole family becomes, you know, United States citizens,” he told POLITICO.
He reiterated that “that case is all about slaves, the babies of slaves, and it was a good reason for doing it,” arguing that public understanding of the amendment’s purpose was evolving. He stated, “People now are understanding it... And I think the court understands it, too.”
Supreme Court to hear administration’s appeal
The US Supreme Court recently agreed to examine the constitutionality of Trump’s executive order issued on January 20, 2025, which seeks to prevent children born to parents who are in the US illegally or temporarily from receiving automatic citizenship.
Lower courts have previously blocked the order, finding that it conflicts with more than a century of legal interpretation of the 14th Amendment. These rulings noted that the amendment was introduced to secure citizenship for Black Americans, including formerly enslaved people, as per News18.
Trump warned of significant consequences if the Supreme Court ultimately rejects his administration’s position. “That would be a devastating decision if we lose that case,” he said, arguing that the US “cannot afford to house tens of millions of people that came in through birthright citizenship.”
His remarks came during an interview with POLITICO, at a time when the US Supreme Court prepares to hear a major case on the issue.
Trump links citizenship clause to Civil War era
Speaking to POLITICO, Trump said the case underpinning birthright citizenship “was meant for the babies of slaves” and should be read in the context of post-Civil War reforms. He added, “if you look at the dates on the case, it was exactly having to do with the Civil War,” describing the provision as narrowly tailored for that era.
According to Trump, the original ruling did not anticipate modern-day situations involving foreign nationals entering the country briefly. “That case was not meant from some rich person coming from another country, dropping... putting a foot in our country, and all of a sudden their whole family becomes, you know, United States citizens,” he told POLITICO.
He reiterated that “that case is all about slaves, the babies of slaves, and it was a good reason for doing it,” arguing that public understanding of the amendment’s purpose was evolving. He stated, “People now are understanding it... And I think the court understands it, too.”
Supreme Court to hear administration’s appeal
The US Supreme Court recently agreed to examine the constitutionality of Trump’s executive order issued on January 20, 2025, which seeks to prevent children born to parents who are in the US illegally or temporarily from receiving automatic citizenship.
Lower courts have previously blocked the order, finding that it conflicts with more than a century of legal interpretation of the 14th Amendment. These rulings noted that the amendment was introduced to secure citizenship for Black Americans, including formerly enslaved people, as per News18.
Trump warned of significant consequences if the Supreme Court ultimately rejects his administration’s position. “That would be a devastating decision if we lose that case,” he said, arguing that the US “cannot afford to house tens of millions of people that came in through birthright citizenship.”
