Geoff Bennett:
The central question in this case, though, is the limits of judicial power, namely universal injunctions which allow a federal judge to issue a nationwide block to executive orders.
In recent months, several district court judges have used nationwide injunctions to pause a number of the Trump administration’s policies, including an executive order which seeks to end birthright citizenship. Today, the government argued those judges are overstepping their constitutional authority.
Earlier, President Trump weighed in, posting on social media — quote — “Birthright citizenship is about the babies of slaves and it had nothing to do with illegal immigration for people wanting to scam our country.”
We will sort that out in a moment. But, outside the court today, a group of attorneys general who are challenging the president’s order said the question of birthright citizenship has long been settled.
Matthew Platkin (D), New Jersey Attorney General: A hundred and fifty-seven years ago, we came together as a nation post-Civil War and said never again were we going to debate whether babies born on American soil are entitled to the rights and privileges of American citizenship. And contrary to what the United States is saying, citizenship doesn’t turn on or turn off when you cross state lines.