Summary
Judge John Coughenour, a Reagan appointee, blocked Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship, calling it “clearly unconstitutional.”
In his ruling, he strongly defended the rule of law, stating, “It has become ever more apparent that to our president the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals.”
His preliminary injunction prevents the executive order’s enforcement ahead of its February 18th start date.
The judge remarked that only a formal constitutional amendment can change birthright citizenship, underscoring legal limits on presidential power.
In the US House of Representatives and in the United States Senate, a super majority constitutes 66% or 2/3 or more of the vote.
This term also applies to such a majority in state legislatures.