March 31, 2026Updated April 1, 2026, 12:05 a.m. ET
President Donald Trump is planning to make an unprecedented appearance at the Supreme Court as the justices weigh whether his administration can restrict birthright citizenship. No sitting president has attended a Supreme Court argument.
Trump’s daily schedule has him at the Court for oral arguments at 10 a.m. on April 1. He told reporters March 31 during an Oval Office event that he likely would attend the hearing.
“I’m going,” Trump said, adding: “I think so. I do believe. Because I’ve listened to this argument for so long.”
Trump previously said he was considering attending a Supreme Court hearing on his tariffs, but ultimately opted against it. At the time, critics such as Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, described the possibility as an effort to intimidate the court, which Trump has frequently criticized in harsh terms when it rules against him. On March 25, Trump said two of the justices he himself appointed “sicken” him and are “bad for the country,” after they overturned his trademark tariffs.
If the president follows through this time, he would make history.
Trump on his first day back in office last year signed an executive order denying automatic citizenship to babies born in the U.S. unless they have at least one parent who is a citizen or legal permanent resident. The move is a dramatic reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which states “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” The order was quickly challenged in court.
The 14th Amendment has long been interpreted to give citizenship to nearly everyone born in the U.S., other than children of diplomats and invading armies. Native Americans also were excluded from birthright citizenship until a 1924 law.
“It is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen,” Trump said March 31 in criticizing birthright citizenship. “It’s been so badly handled by legal people over the years.”
It could be a busy day for Trump. He also plans to address the nation about the Iran war at 9 p.m. on April 1.
Contributing: Maureen Groppe, Bart Jansen
