US President Donald Trump attended a historic oral argument at the Supreme Court, marking his first time as a litigant and spectator. Chief Justice John Roberts displayed skepticism towards Trump’s position on birthright citizenship, questioning the administration’s alternative view of the 14th Amendment. Despite Trump’s presence, he received little deference from the bench.
Roberts dismissed US Solicitor General John Sauer’s contention that contemporary immigration problems require a revision of the understanding that virtually all children born on US soil become American citizens, irrespective of their parents’ immigration status. The chief justice cast doubt on the idea that anyone on US soil unlawfully or temporarily is not sufficiently subject to US jurisdiction.
Trump was seated in the public section of the courtroom, switching seats during the argument. He remained for about an hour before abruptly standing up and leaving. Roberts followed up on Sauer’s line of argument with Wang, urging her to consider the majority opinion in its entirety.
The birthright citizenship case may hold significance for Trump, who signed an order limiting the right in January 2025. The Supreme Court decision could have implications for American identity and recall the infamous Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling from 1857.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/04/02/politics/john-roberts-told-donald-trump-exactly-what-he-thinks