In a rare and unprecedented move, President Donald Trump attended a Supreme Court session on Wednesday, marking a significant departure from the norm as he took a public seat among ordinary citizens. Known for commanding attention, Trump remained uncharacteristically silent, his hands resting in his lap, while the justices appeared unfazed by his presence.
This unique display of presidential authority saw Trump joined by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, as they observed the court proceedings regarding his administration’s attempt to revoke birthright citizenship protections. During the 90-minute session, justices from both liberal and conservative sides questioned the administration’s legal representative, expressing skepticism about the proposed changes to birthright citizenship, including skepticism from three justices appointed by Trump himself.
Midway through the opposing party’s presentation, President Trump exited the courtroom. Shortly afterward, he took to social media, asserting, “We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow ‘Birthright’ Citizenship!” His comments came despite the fact that around three dozen countries also offer citizenship to those born within their borders.
Trump’s social media outburst further fueled his ongoing criticism of the Supreme Court, particularly targeting the six justices who opposed his stance, questioning their patriotism. He was notably critical of Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, both of whom he had nominated, describing their decisions as “an embarrassment to their families.”
Amidst the controversy, Chief Justice John Roberts, without directly naming Trump, highlighted last month the dangers of personal attacks on federal judges, emphasizing that “it’s got to stop.” Despite this, legal experts suggest Trump’s efforts to sway the justices may be futile. As UCLA’s constitutional law professor Adam Winkler noted, the justices “pride themselves in their independence, even if some agree with much of Trump’s agenda.”
Echoing this sentiment, Harvard Law’s Richard Re compared Trump’s presence at the oral argument to the justices’ typical attendance at the State of the Union, stating, “I don’t think the justices will be intimidated, no matter what the president does.”
The courtroom scene was notably theatrical, further accentuated by the presence of actor Robert DeNiro, a vocal critic of Trump, who was seated in the guest box reserved for friends and family of the justices. The two did not engage in conversation during the proceedings.
