Federal Judge Halts Trump Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship, Declares It ‘Blatantly Unconstitutional’

A federal judge in Seattle has temporarily halted President Donald Trump executive order seeking to restrict birthright citizenship, deeming it “blatantly unconstitutional.” On Thursday, US District Judge John Coughenour, a Ronald Reagan appointee, issued a restraining order to block the policy’s enforcement. The ruling followed a legal challenge by four states—Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon—arguing that the order violated the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution.

Judge Coughenour Questions Constitutionality of Trump Birthright Citizenship Order

On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order to deny citizenship to children born in the United States if their parents are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents. The order also aimed to block these children from accessing government benefits, obtaining Social Security numbers, or legally working as adults. Judge Coughenour quickly addressed the legal challenges, directly questioning the order’s constitutionality.

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“I can’t understand how any legal expert could argue that this order is constitutional,” Coughenour said during the hearing. He emphasized the clarity of the case, pointing out that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to anyone born on American soil. The judge also highlighted the importance of adhering to the Constitution in interpreting such fundamental rights.

Legal Battle Continues as Court Blocks Trump Birthright Citizenship Order

The court will keep the temporary restraining order in effect for 14 days while it decides whether to issue a longer-lasting injunction. The Justice Department has vowed to appeal the decision and continue defending the president’s policy. However, Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown expressed confidence that the ruling would stand, even if the case reaches the Supreme Court.

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If the order stands, it could deny citizenship to over 150,000 children born each year in the United States. The case has sparked significant legal challenges, with civil rights groups and 22 states joining the fight against the policy, arguing it undermines the country’s foundational principles of citizenship and equality. Legal experts and advocacy groups stress that the decision will have lasting implications for the interpretation of constitutional rights in future cases.