Donald Trump has issued a lengthy online statement criticising current interpretations of birthright citizenship in the United States, amid ongoing arguments before the United States Supreme Court over the constitutional basis of the policy.

In a post on Truth Social, which he framed as a “Savage Nation” briefing, Trump questioned the constitutional basis of birthright citizenship and argued that the matter should be decided through a national referendum rather than the courts. He claimed that current interpretations of the law were being exploited through what he described as “birth tourism” and welfare abuse, and warned that immigration patterns were altering the United States’ demographic and cultural identity.

He said: “We can’t leave it to a handful of lawyers to decide the future of our nation,” adding that public opinion should take precedence over judicial interpretation.

Trump also sharply criticised immigration lawyers and civil liberties organisations, singling out the American Civil Liberties Union, which he accused of undermining national cohesion. He referred to them as “very smart, very evil, and very devious,” and added, “The ACLU is the head of the snake.”

In one of the most contentious sections of his remarks, Trump alleged that immigration systems were being abused and made sweeping generalisations about migrants, saying: “They all integrated and became Americans in the melting pot. The idea of the melting pot is long over. It is now just a cash in pot.”

He also used highly charged language about countries of origin, stating: “Bring them all in from China or India or some other hellhole on the planet.” 

Trump further argued that the United States has shifted away from what he described as historical assimilation, claiming that modern immigration patterns have created social fragmentation. He said, “English is not spoken here anymore,” and alleged that certain sectors of the economy are dominated by immigrant groups, particularly in technology and public services.

The remarks come amid renewed legal and political debate in the United States over the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment and birthright citizenship. The Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments related to restrictions on automatic citizenship for children born to non-citizen parents, a case that could have significant constitutional implications.

Trump concluded his commentary by calling for stronger executive action and even suggested legal strategies against advocacy organisations, arguing that they have “done more damage to this nation than Iran has ever done directly.”

© Naya Daur