Stephen A Smith says he doesn’t blame Trump for Supreme Court visit

Stephen A. Smith weighed in on the national debate over birthright citizenship, saying he did not fault President Donald Trump for participating in Supreme Court oral arguments on the issue.

Smith said Thursday.Straight Shooter” His Supreme Court appearance was in line with a key issue at the center of Trump’s political messaging, discussing the criticism he has faced over his focus and priorities while in office.

“When the president walks into the Supreme Court for oral arguments, I’m here to tell you, ladies and gentlemen, I don’t blame him,” Smith said. “He is accused of not paying attention to what is happening on our own land.”

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Smith argued that the issue resonated with a significant portion of the electorate and served as a strategic engagement point, framing the move as a calculated political decision tied to voter concerns.

“You want to do something that’s in your best interest politically. If you’re President Donald Trump, you’re going to fight this fight because millions of Americans are following him on this issue,” Smith said.

Smith commented on the issue as the Supreme Court considers questions about interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to those born in the United States.

Pro and anti-Trump demonstrators gathered in front of the US Supreme Court. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

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Drawing attention to the constitutional basis of the debate, Smith touched on the language of the amendment and its role in shaping existing law.

“And the reason this is an important issue to address is because you remember what the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution says,” he said. “Everyone born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States is a citizen of the United States.”

Smith highlighted the current legal interpretation of automatic citizenship for those born on U.S. soil and highlighted how this language is applied in practice.

Pro- and anti-Trump demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. Supreme Court before the justices heard oral arguments on whether President Donald Trump can deny citizenship to children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

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“So if you were born on U.S. soil, you automatically become a U.S. citizen,” Smith said. “This is the part we need to ask ourselves, and this is where the conversation gets uncomfortable. Do you believe in birthright citizenship as an American citizen?”

Smith narrowed the discussion down to a specific immigration-related scenario that has become central to the broader policy debate.

“Do you believe that the newborn babies of someone who crosses our border illegally to give birth on American soil should automatically become American citizens?” Smith asked.

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While accepting the current constitutional interpretation, Smith distinguished between what was legally determined and what he framed as a question open to public consideration.

“Under the United States Constitution, there is no debate on this issue,” he said. “I ask you, is this true? Should it be?”

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