WASHINGTON (AP) — Hushed conversations and curious glances filled the Supreme Court chamber Wednesday as President Donald Trump made history by becoming the first sitting commander-in-chief to personally attend oral arguments from the public seating area.
The president, typically drawn to cameras and spotlight moments, sat quietly with his hands folded while the justices proceeded without acknowledging his unusual presence. This unprecedented move represented an extraordinary display of executive influence and privilege.
Accompanying Trump were Attorney General Pam Bondi and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as they observed their administration’s legal team argue in favor of the president’s executive directive to eliminate constitutional and legal protections for birthright citizenship.
Throughout the ninety-minute session, Trump remained attentive as justices from across the ideological spectrum challenged the administration’s attorney with pointed questions. Multiple justices, including three Trump personally selected for the bench, expressed skepticism about the proposed birthright citizenship limitations.
When opposing counsel began their presentation, Trump departed the courtroom. Within an hour, the president took to social media, writing: “We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow ‘Birthright’ Citizenship!”
Approximately three dozen nations actually provide citizenship rights to children born within their borders. The president’s online statement represented another instance of his direct criticism targeting the court and individual justices.
Trump previously expressed shame regarding six justices who voted against his positions and questioned their loyalty to America. He particularly criticized Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, both his nominees, describing them as “an embarrassment to their families.”
Chief Justice John Roberts, without naming Trump specifically, stated last month that personal attacks on federal judges pose dangers and “it’s got to stop.”
Legal scholars suggest Trump’s intimidation efforts, if that was the intent, will likely prove ineffective.
UCLA constitutional law professor Adam Winkler noted that justices “pride themselves in their independence, even if some agree with much of Trump’s agenda.”
Harvard Law constitutional professor Richard Re compared Trump’s courtroom visit to “a reversal of the justices’ frequent appearances at the State of the Union address.”
“I don’t think the justices will be intimidated, no matter what the president does,” Re stated.
Trump’s presence brought unusual drama to the typically formal proceedings. Actor Robert DeNiro, a vocal Trump opponent, also attended the session, sitting in the special section designated for justices’ guests and relatives.
The two men did not interact during the hearing.
