Donald Trump has hailed a “giant win” after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to restrict the ability of federal judges to issue broad blocks against presidential executive orders.
In a 6-3 decision, the Court sided with the Trump administration in narrowing three nationwide injunctions that had stopped the enforcement of Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented or temporary migrants. However, the ruling did not allow the policy to take effect immediately, nor did it address whether the policy itself is constitutional.
Speaking from the White House, Trump praised the decision as a defeat for what he described as “radical left judges” who, he claimed, pose a threat to democracy.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing for the majority, emphasized that while the executive branch must follow the law, the judiciary’s power to enforce that duty is not unlimited. The ruling mandates a 30-day delay before the executive order can potentially take effect.
In a forceful dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor argued the Court failed to address the legality of the order, calling it “plainly unconstitutional.” Joined by the other two liberal justices, she criticized the majority for focusing only on judicial authority rather than the content of the executive action, warning that the decision could limit courts from halting unlawful policies.
Trump’s order, signed on his first day back in office, would deny automatic U.S. citizenship to children born in the U.S. unless at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Critics say this violates the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to those born in the country.
The legal battle over the executive order is ongoing, but the Supreme Court used the case to address the broader issue of federal courts issuing universal injunctions—bans that apply nationwide rather than to just the plaintiffs in a case. The administration argued these injunctions represent an overreach of judicial power, a stance echoed by some legal scholars and presidents from both parties.
The decision is one of several recent wins for Trump on immigration. Earlier rulings cleared the way for expanded deportations and the rollback of humanitarian protections for certain migrants. However, the Court recently blocked one of Trump’s policies that would have allowed the rapid deportation of Venezuelans without due process.
During oral arguments last month, Trump’s legal team contended the 14th Amendment was originally intended to grant citizenship only to the children of former slaves—not to undocumented immigrants or temporary visitors. They also argued a key 1898 Supreme Court precedent on birthright citizenship was narrower than widely believed.
As the legal battle over birthright citizenship continues, the ruling marks a significant shift in the balance of power between the presidency and the judiciary, reinforcing Trump’s ability to carry out executive actions with fewer immediate legal obstacles.
