Trump Rages at Supreme Court Over Birthright Citizenship Debate

The 79-year-old former president unleashed a late-night rant on social media after the court appeared skeptical of his push to end automatic citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:51am

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A dynamic, fragmented painting featuring a gavel, American flag, and Supreme Court building in a bold, abstract style, conveying the fractured political debate over birthright citizenship.The Supreme Court's skepticism towards the former president's push to end birthright citizenship exposes the high-stakes political battle over immigration policy.Washington Today

Former President Donald Trump went on an unhinged 1 a.m. rant about the Supreme Court on social media as it considers whether to allow him to scrap birthright citizenship. The 79-year-old suggested the court should have 'studied' a Fox News segment by host Mark Levin arguing the 14th Amendment was not intended to grant citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants. Trump's outburst came days after he stormed out of oral arguments about the issue, where the conservative-leaning court, including justices he appointed, appeared highly skeptical of his administration's arguments.

Why it matters

Trump's latest tirade highlights the ongoing political and legal battle over birthright citizenship, a fundamental tenet of American law that has been in place for over 150 years. The Supreme Court's skepticism towards the administration's position could deal a major blow to Trump's efforts to reshape immigration policy through executive action, raising questions about the limits of presidential power.

The details

During last week's oral arguments, the Supreme Court justices, including Trump appointees, pushed back hard on the administration's claims that the 14th Amendment was not intended to grant citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants. Chief Justice John Roberts told the government's lawyer that 'it's the same Constitution' today, while Justice Neil Gorsuch pressed on whether Native American children would also lose citizenship under the administration's interpretation. Trump was present for the hearing and stormed out after the justices shot down several of the government's arguments.

  • Trump posted the late-night rant on Truth Social just before 1 a.m. ET on Monday, April 6, 2026.
  • The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the birthright citizenship case on April 1, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The 79-year-old former president who is attempting to end automatic birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants through executive action.

John Roberts

The Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, who pushed back on the administration's arguments during the oral arguments.

Neil Gorsuch

A Supreme Court justice appointed by former President Trump, who questioned the administration's position on whether Native American children would lose citizenship under their interpretation.

D. John Sauer

The Solicitor General representing the Trump administration in defending the effort to end birthright citizenship.

Mark Levin

A pro-Trump Fox News host who argued the 14th Amendment was never intended to grant citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants.

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What they’re saying

“'It's a new world. It's the same Constitution.'”

— John Roberts, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court

“'Ah, I think... so. I mean, obviously they've been granted citizenship by statute,'”

— D. John Sauer, Solicitor General

“'You on the court, you get to decide now on a big issue, you should leave it to the people in our elected representatives or the amendment process with a legislative process. But if you rule on this and constitutionalize this, you will be known as the most activist court in the history of the Supreme Court, and the damage is incalculable.'”

— Mark Levin, Fox News Host

What’s next

The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on the birthright citizenship case in the coming months, which could have major implications for immigration policy in the United States.

The takeaway

Trump's late-night social media outburst underscores the high political stakes of the Supreme Court's consideration of his push to end birthright citizenship, a fundamental right that has been in place for over a century and a half. The court's skepticism towards the administration's arguments suggests the former president may face a major legal defeat on a key part of his immigration agenda.