US judge blocks Trump’s birthright citizenship order, calls it 'blatantly unconstitutional'

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Another federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.”

US District Judge John C. Coughenour, a Ronald Reagan appointee, on Thursday issued a preliminary injunction and sharply criticized Trump’s approach to governance, The Washington Post reported.

Coughenour emphasized that birthright citizenship is enshrined in the 14th Amendment and cannot be altered by executive action.

He rejected the administration’s argument that children of noncitizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the US, citing an 1898 Supreme Court precedent.

“The rule of law is, according to him (Trump), something to navigate around or ignore for political or personal gain,” Coughenour said.

“In this courtroom and under my watch, the rule of law is a bright beacon, which I intend to follow,” he added.

Trump’s order aimed to deny citizenship to children born in the US to undocumented immigrants or temporary visa holders.

Coughenour’s injunction follows a similar nationwide block by Maryland Judge Deborah Boardman, who ruled the order would cause “irreparable harm” to families.