Trump at Supreme Court as justices hear birthright citizenship case

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump attended Supreme Court arguments Wednesday as the justices took up his executive order seeking to limit birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily.

The court is reviewing Trump’s appeal of a lower-court ruling that struck down citizenship restrictions. It was one of several lower‑court decisions blocking the policy nationwide. The restrictions have not taken effect anywhere in the country.

What we know:

Trump’s appearance marked the first time a sitting president has attended oral arguments at the high court. Crowds gathered along Constitution and Independence Avenues as his motorcade made its way to the building.

The case presents a test of Trump’s use of executive power. A ruling is expected by early summer.

Trump signed the birthright‑citizenship order on the first day of his second term as part of his broader immigration agenda. The policy challenges the long‑standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment and federal law, which grant citizenship on nearly all children born on U.S. soil, with narrow exceptions.

Lower courts have repeatedly found the order unconstitutional. The administration argues that children of noncitizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States and therefore not entitled to citizenship.

US President Donald Trump rides in his motorcade as he arrives at the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on April 1, 2026. President Donald Trump will watch the US Supreme Court hear a landmark case weighing the constitutionality of his contentious b

President Donald J. Trump boards Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida on Monday, March 23, 2026, en route Memphis, Tennessee. (White House photo by Molly Riley)

The high court heard arguments starting at 10 a.m.  A ruling from the Supreme Court is expected by early summer.