Two federal judges have delivered blows to former President Trump's executive order aiming to restrict birthright citizenship, asserting it clashes with the Constitution. In Washington state, Judge John Coughenour strongly criticized the former president, stating, "It has become ever more apparent that, to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals." He deemed birthright citizenship an "unequivocal Constitutional right" that cannot be altered by executive order.

Former President Donald Trump previously signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship.

This ruling follows a similar decision by a Maryland federal judge, Deborah Boardman, who emphasized the need for a uniform national policy on citizenship. Boardman's ruling, which will remain in effect during the appeals process, underscores that citizenship, as granted by the Fourteenth Amendment, is a fundamental right. Her decision builds upon a previous ruling that temporarily halted the implementation of Trump's order.

The central question revolves around the interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, which states that all individuals born or naturalized in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction are citizens. Trump's order sought to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants. Critics argue this oversteps presidential authority and constitutes an attempt to amend the Constitution through executive action. Judge Coughenour explicitly accused Trump of attempting to modify the Fourteenth Amendment for political gain.

ICE agents have conducted raids related to immigration enforcement.

Multiple states, including Arizona, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington, have filed lawsuits challenging the executive order. The Department of Justice is anticipated to appeal the rulings. The White House has been contacted for comment.