Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order, Citing Unconstitutionality

A federal judge in Seattle, John Coughenour, ruled that President Trump's executive order aimed at curtailing birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, stating that the rule of law is merely an impediment to Trump's policy goals. Coughenour's nationwide injunction follows a similar ruling from a federal judge in Maryland, both blocking the order which sought to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants. The lawsuits against Trump's order have been brought by a coalition of Democratic-led states and civil rights groups, arguing it violates the 14th Amendment. Coughenour emphasized that any change to the Constitution must go through the proper amendment process, rather than through executive orders. Trump's administration has indicated it plans to appeal these rulings. Critics, including Senator Angus King, have condemned Trump's actions as an assault on the Constitution.