Making waves in media once again, President Trump said that he would use an executive order to end the right to citizenship for children of immigrants born on U.S. soil. Along with this, he claimed that the United States was the only country in the world to offer this right.
“We’re the only country in the world where a person comes in, has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States for 85 years with all of those benefits.” Trump said in an interview with HBO Axios posted on Oct. 30.
These claims are wildly inaccurate. In fact, according to WorldAtlas.com, at least 30 countries have the same policy. These countries include Canada, Mexico and many other countries in the Western hemisphere. This policy is something that should be expected within countries that are modernizing.
Trump’s claims that he would be able to change the 14th Amendment with an executive order have been deemed unjust by many members of the United States Congress. This includes the Republican House Speaker, Paul Ryan, who in a radio interview on Oct 31 dismissed the comment, saying that it is impossible under the Constitution.
Social media blew up after Trump’s initial comments and once again when Ryan took back the comment. To many, it felt like every week Trump continues to make outrageous, far-fetched claims. It is difficult to keep up with what he says and to sift through what is true.
With comments like these, however quickly shot down by White House officials, the question comes up over whether or not Americans should worry that an attempt to actualize these claims will be made. With the law as it is currently, an executive order could not change an amendment of the Constitution. The law can change, however, and it is important that Americans realize that.
Trump saying untrue comments causes a flurry of people trying to fact check and correct him in the media. Some citizens will only hear the comment and never realize that it is inaccurate and dangerous. This could eventually create an issue. If those elected to Congress chose to change the laws regarding executive orders, those who felt moved by Trump’s original comments would support changes to the law. If the presidential office gained more power, the checks and balances in place would no longer matter and we could quickly turn into a dictatorship.
If Trump continues to make inaccurate comments like those about birthright citizenship, he will generate enough support for a change of the checks and balances. With enough support and the right people in Congress wanting to please those in their state, America could be thrown into chaos. It is important that these ridiculous claims stop garnering so much media attention. Coverage should shift from immediate reporting of initial comments to immediate fact-checking. If coverage stays how it is, Trump’s now outrageous comments could begin to affect American’s daily lives.
