In a revelation that is set to send shockwaves through the American political landscape, former Fox News titan Tucker Carlson has made an explosive claim: Donald Trump is prepared to unilaterally end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants by wielding executive power.
Carlson made the stunning disclosure during a wide-ranging interview with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. He asserted that the former President is not only a firm believer in the policy but is ready to enact it on 'day one' of a potential second term, circumventing a protracted Congressional battle.
A Constitutional Earthquake
The move would directly challenge the long-held interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which states: 'All persons born or naturalized in the United States... are citizens of the United States.' For over a century, this has been understood to grant citizenship to anyone born on US soil, regardless of their parents' status.
Carlson's argument, which aligns with a growing conservative legal theory, posits that the amendment's original intent and the phrase 'subject to the jurisdiction thereof' excludes those who are in the country illegally. This interpretation, however, is fiercely contested and would inevitably trigger a historic legal battle that could reach the Supreme Court.
The Path of Executive Action
When pressed by Kirk on how Trump would achieve such a monumental change, Carlson was unequivocal. He stated that the former President would sign an executive order directing federal agencies to cease issuing passports and Social Security numbers to babies born of undocumented parents.
This strategy, while swift, is fraught with legal peril. It would instantly be challenged in federal courts, creating immediate uncertainty and placing the judicial branch at the centre of a fierce national debate over immigration and presidential authority.
Fueling the Political Fire
The announcement serves as a potent signal to Trump's base, reinforcing his hardline stance on immigration—a cornerstone of his political identity. By promising such a decisive and controversial action, he aims to draw a stark contrast with the Biden administration and energise his supporters ahead of the next election.
This proposal is arguably one of the most radical changes to American immigration and citizenship law in modern history. Its revelation through Carlson's platform underscores the influential role the broadcaster continues to play in shaping conservative discourse and setting the agenda for the Republican party.
