This was shocking!
President Donald Trump is gaining surprising backing from a longtime critic as his administration presses forward with an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship — a policy Trump says fuels illegal immigration and weakens national sovereignty.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a Republican who has publicly clashed with Trump in recent months, announced Wednesday night that he signed a legal brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the president’s executive action.
“Automatically granting U.S. citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants creates a powerful incentive for unlawful border crossings,” Massie wrote on social media. “If we are serious about protecting national sovereignty, this practice must end.”
A Rare Moment of Agreement
Massie’s support is notable given his strained relationship with Trump. The Kentucky lawmaker has been one of the president’s more vocal Republican critics, particularly following disputes over congressional efforts to force the release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Despite those tensions, both men now appear aligned on immigration — an issue that remains a top priority for Trump’s base and a defining policy focus of his presidency.
Trump has long argued that birthright citizenship functions as a “pull factor,” encouraging illegal immigration by guaranteeing citizenship to children born in the U.S., regardless of their parents’ legal status.
Legal Roadblocks Emerge
Last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s executive order, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional” under current interpretations of the 14th Amendment. The ruling sets the stage for what could become a major Supreme Court showdown.
Under existing legal precedent, individuals born on U.S. soil are typically granted citizenship automatically. Trump’s order would reverse that approach by directing federal agencies to deny citizenship unless at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
History of Political Friction
The show of unity on immigration comes after months of sharp exchanges between Trump and Massie. The congressman previously broke with Republican leadership to push a vote related to Epstein-file transparency, drawing public criticism from Trump.
At one point, Trump encouraged his supporters to back a primary challenger against Massie, accusing him of undermining the party and labeling him a “RINO.” Massie has said the dispute was rooted in policy disagreements rather than personal animosity.
Still, on the question of birthright citizenship, Massie has been unequivocal in siding with Trump’s position.
What Happens Next?
While the Supreme Court is expected to review the executive order, legal analysts caution that permanently ending birthright citizenship would almost certainly require a constitutional amendment.
Such a change would demand a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, followed by ratification from 38 state legislatures — a high bar by any standard.
Even so, Trump’s move has reignited a long-running national debate and drawn unexpected support from critics within his own party, highlighting how immigration continues to reshape political alliances and drive voter engagement ahead of future elections.