Archive: A request for a short commentary on Trump v. Barbara
Posted By RichC on April 2, 2026
Over the last few years, I’ve enjoyed being asked to opine on current events and politics for TheHustings.news. It is a congenial bunch writers, who at least outwardly, accept the opinions of others. The talented group consist of retired, or perhaps 
close to retiring journalists, political campaign PR writers/managers, editors and college professors, who come from different parts of the country. A couple of them were automotive journalists (including the editor), whose side interest is politics … which was how I was introduced.
As a non-professional writer, I’ve enjoyed contributing and have found it challenging. What has surprised me, was that I am one of the few (or only one?) who sees things from the MAGA point of view … even if my opinions don’t always align with President Trump. That said, I’m definitely more aligned with fiscal conservatives and Republicans than the others OR even where many Democrat voters have shifted these days (embracing socialism). 😉
Yesterday’s request came late in the day … but since I’ve been following the SCOTUS oral arguments, added my two-cents.
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in Trump v. Barbara, weighing President Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. The administration argues that “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” excludes children of undocumented immigrants or temporary visa holders, aiming to curb what has become a modern “birth tourism” and an illegal immigration incentive industry unknown 166 years ago.
This view has merit. The Clause was ratified post-Civil War primarily to secure citizenship for freed slaves and their descendants—those born here fully subject to U.S. authority, not foreign diplomats, illegals flooding across the Biden administration’s open border or transient visitors owing primary allegiance elsewhere. Today’s expansive interpretation, granting automatic citizenship to hundreds of thousands annually from non-citizen parents, has fueled exploitative practices that strain resources and undermine sovereignty in ways the 1866 drafters never contemplated.
The Constitution’s text is broad and is open to judicial interpretation, which is the path the Trump administration is seeking. The preferred correction of these abusive practices would be through the amendment process. Unfortunately that is likely impossible in today’s divided and politicized Congress.
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