Donald Trump became the first sitting US president to attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court of the United States on Wednesday. The apex court is examining the constitutionality of his executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to parents who are in the country illegally or on temporary visas.Trump confirmed his plans a day earlier, telling reporters, “I’m going… I think so, I do believe,” before departing the White House on Wednesday morning for the hearing. The order, signed on January 20, 2025 at the start of his second term, forms a central plank of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown. However, every lower court to review the policy has ruled against it, blocking its implementation. A final decision from the Supreme Court is expected by early summer.Trump’s presence in the courtroom breaks with long-standing norms. Presidents have traditionally avoided attending Supreme Court arguments to maintain a clear separation between the executive and judicial branches, and to avoid any perception of influencing the bench. Legal experts say the appearance reflects the high personal and political stakes for Trump, even as they argue it is unlikely to affect the justices’ decision-making.The hearing itself features a high-profile legal clash. Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who previously secured a major presidential immunity ruling favourable to Trump, is arguing in defence of the administration’s policy. Opposing him is American Civil Liberties Union legal director Cecillia Wang, who is presenting her case against the order.The arguments are expected to run beyond their scheduled time, as the nine justices led by Chief Justice John Roberts weigh a case with far-reaching constitutional implications.
