Most justices seemed skeptical of the administration’s argument, despite Trump’s unprecedented appearance
It was a surreal morning at the US supreme court.
For more than two hours, the nation’s highest court considered arguments over whether Donald Trump – via an executive order – could tear down an idea that has been fundamental to the story and trajectory of the United States: that almost anyone born on US soil is an US citizen.
The US president himself was in the room – the first sitting president to attend oral arguments at the court – coming face to face with justices that he has long berated and pressured to fall in line with his agenda. His attendance was a striking signal of just how significant this case is.
The egalitarian, universal rule that anyone born in the US is a US citizen was enshrined in the 14th amendment of the US constitution in 1868, and was affirmed by the supreme court 128 years ago. A ruling in favor of the Trump administration would cataclysmically redefine what it means to be an American.
