Corey Lewandowski, a senior adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, suggested Monday that Trump could bypass the U.S. Constitution to end birthright citizenship, despite the 14th Amendment’s explicit protections.
During an interview on Newsmax, host Jon Glasgow pressed Lewandowski about Trump’s promise to eliminate birthright citizenship on “day one” of his presidency, asking directly, “Is this something that Trump can do?”
Lewandowski responded by referencing Trump’s long-standing stance on the issue. “You know, Donald Trump has said that once you step one foot into this country, if you have a baby here, that person, by the Constitution, is an American citizen. There are some real concerns about that.”
He continued, blaming the phenomenon of “birth tourism” for exploiting the system. “We know that people come to this country just to have their children here,” Lewandowski said. “So, listen, the open question of, can this be done through executive action or does a federal law need to be passed, is one that the attorneys will ultimately decide.”
The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution explicitly states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States” are citizens, a clause that legal scholars widely agree protects birthright citizenship. However, Trump and his advisers have frequently argued for its reinterpretation or elimination.
Lewandowski also reiterated Trump’s plans for stricter immigration enforcement, saying, “Those who are in the country illegally will be shipped out.” He added that families would face a choice about remaining together. “And if they want to stay with their families, the president said, that’s okay. That’s a decision you will make.”
The suggestion that Trump could override constitutional protections through executive action has sparked widespread debate. Critics argue that such a move would face immediate legal challenges and would likely be deemed unconstitutional by the courts.
Lewandowski’s comments reflect Trump’s continued focus on hardline immigration policies, a centerpiece of his platform during both past and present campaigns. By suggesting executive action as a possibility, Lewandowski underscored the president-elect’s willingness to test legal boundaries to fulfill his promises.
The debate over birthright citizenship is likely to intensify as Trump prepares for his presidency, with constitutional experts warning that any unilateral action could provoke a significant legal and political showdown.