By Nate Raymond (Reuters) – In a courtroom in Seattle, a federal judge challenged the actions taken by the government on birthright citizenship. The judge accused Donald Trump of disregarding the rule of law for personal and political gain. He declared an executive order signed by the Republican president seeking to limit birthright citizenship as unconstitutional. The courtroom erupted in applause as U.S. District Judge John Coughenour extended his previous order blocking Trump’s directive, now making it a nationwide injunction indefinitely.
Judge Coughenour, appointed by Republican former President Ronald Reagan, expressed his concern, stating, “It has become ever more apparent that to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain.”
The Trump administration is expected to appeal the judge’s ruling. The White House has not yet provided a response to the decision. The lawsuit was filed by Democratic-led states of Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon, along with several pregnant women. They argued that Trump’s order violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the United States.
Trump’s executive order directed U.S. agencies to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. after Feb. 19 if neither parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. This order, part of Trump’s stringent immigration policies, was signed on his first day back in office on Jan. 20.
Judge Coughenour’s nationwide injunction is one of two issued by federal judges blocking the administration from implementing the order. A federal judge in Maryland also issued a similar injunction. Judges in Boston and New Hampshire are set to consider the matter in response to requests from Democratic-led states and immigrant rights advocates.
During the hearing, a lawyer for the U.S. Justice Department argued that the plaintiffs misinterpreted a crucial U.S. Supreme Court ruling from 1898. However, Judge Coughenour sided with the plaintiffs, emphasizing that their reading of the 14th Amendment’s protections was correct.
The judge criticized the administration for attempting to deprive children born in the U.S. of their fundamental right to citizenship through an executive order. He firmly stated that no amount of policy debate could change the constitutional rights at stake.
Judge Coughenour concluded by affirming his commitment to upholding the rule of law, stating, “In these moments, the rule of law becomes especially vulnerable. I refuse to let that beacon go dark today.” This outspoken stance echoes his previous remarks on Jan. 23 when he described Trump’s order as “blatantly unconstitutional.”
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