ICYMI: Democratic AGs Hit the Airwaves to Discuss Lawsuit to Protect Birthright Citizenship
January 23, 2025
Democratic AGs flood the airwaves after the first lawsuit against the Trump Administration drops
Washington, DC – This week, Democratic Attorneys General hit the airwaves to discuss their first lawsuit against the Trump administration after the President signed an unconstitutional executive order to end birthright citizenship. The lawsuit states Trump is explicitly violating the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
New Jersey AG Matthew Platkin on MSNBC’s Morning Joe:

- “Look, birthright citizenship has been part of the fabric of this nation for centuries. It’s been in the Constitution for 157 years. Even I think President Trump knows that this exceeds his authority. And we’re going to have the court say that. And I am confident that this order will never come into effect.”
- “I mean, this is a legal problem, we’re going to win in the courts, but we’ve got to make sure people understand how extreme this is. When we talk about the rule of law, this isn’t an abstract concept. It’s whether or not a president can write out a 157-year-old provision in the Constitution with a stroke of a pen. I would argue we can’t.”
- “So we’re gonna look at every issue as to whether or not what he is doing violates the law, violates the Constitution and if the answer is yes, and it hurts our residents. We’re not gonna be afraid of a fight to step up. It’s not about whether I agree with him, it’s not about politics, it’s about whether the rule of law, it has to mean something in this country.”
Massachusetts AG Andrea Campbell on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper:

- “It has been crystal clear for over a century that the 14th Amendment extends birthright citizenship not only to folks who are born here, but folks who are born here regardless of status, regardless of demographic. If they are born on your soil, they are citizens.”
- “It’s a blatant violation of the Constitution. He doesn’t have the unilateral power to do it. And most importantly, he’s doing it on the backs of babies, seeking to solve the immigration issues of this country. So we’re all standing up and fighting back to protect our constitution and the rule of law.”
- “It has been disheartening to see a slew of executive orders that weaponize the Department of Justice. I would rather the President take these resources, which are limited, and direct them to helping us solve public safety issues, which we do every single day. We are holding folks accountable who perpetuate crimes in the Commonwealth, regardless of whether they’re citizens or undocumented.”
Connecticut AG William Tong on MSNBC’s Ana Cabrera Reports:
Connecticut AG William Tong also spoke to MSNBC and said “My reaction is this is more bluster and intimidation and trying to force us and compel us to do their will. And Connecticut has never quit on people. We’re never going to surrender, and I am never going to back down. So they can say whatever they want. Here’s the bottom line. The Fourteenth Amendment protects birthright citizenship, period, full stop, by its very terms.”
Minnesota AG Keith Ellison on MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber:
Minnesota AG Keith Ellison then talked with Ari Melber and said “What they’re really trying to do is create this society where Americans are turning on Americans. Look, people who are Americans by virtue of birthright citizenship are just as American as anyone else can run for president, just like him. And that is the constitutional principle. That is the justice principle we’ve got to stand on.”
Colorado AG Phil Weiser on MSNBC’s The ReidOut with Joy Reid:
- “The idea that a president would seek to undermine the Constitution with an executive order is an assault on the basic idea that we live under the rule of law. We have rules for how we change our Constitution, and it’s not the president’s sign and executive order.”
- “But the idea that instead of allowing those processes to come to their conclusion, we’re going to have this indiscriminate fear campaign. Take people, whatever they are in the process, and not give them due process instead deport them. That’s un-American, it’s unfair, it’s illegal, and if there are any attempts to do that, we’re going to stop it. We’re going to stand up for people in the American way, which is we treat everybody legally and fairly.”
California AG Rob Bonta on CNN’s Newsroom with Jim Acosta:
- “It’s unfortunate, but not surprising that on day one, the President decided to trample over the Constitution, attack American citizens, attack children, attack a bedrock principle of our country. And we have a rule of law in America, and the court is where we will see the president to hold him accountable and make sure he complies with the Constitution.”
- “No court in this country has never interpreted the Birthright Citizenship Clause to mean what the president seeks it to mean and what he’s trying to do. So unfortunately on day one he’s violating the Constitution.”
- “He made a promise to end Birthright Citizenship, and we made a promise to take him to court when he breaks the law, including the U.S. Constitution. What he’s doing is un-American and we’re gonna stop him.”
California AG Rob Bonta on MSNBC’s Chris Jansing Reports:

- “But the main argument is that the president of the United States is violating the U .S. Constitution to clear an unambiguous language therein. His theory is a fringe theory never before adopted by the United States or any court. So he has an uphill battle on this one.”
- “The President did make a promise on birthright citizenship and revoking it, and I made a promise too, and I’m keeping it, that I will see you in court when you break the law and violate the U.S. Constitution.”
- “This is about real people, real lives…And those who are born on American soil are entitled to all the rights and privileges of birthright citizenship.”
- “And the president is not a king. With one sweep of the pen, he cannot amend the Constitution. The Constitution is stronger than any presidential action.”
- “And so we expect this not to be the first overreach and unlawful and unconstitutional action by the President. And every time and any time he violates the law, it violates the U .S. Constitution, we will see him in court and we will stop him.”
Nevada AG Aaron Ford on CNN’s News Central with John Berman:
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford also spoke to CNN and said “What we’re looking at here again is an effort to undo the constitutional edicts that control our country by an executive order. He cannot do that.”
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