Paul Ryan says Trump 'obviously' can't end birthright citizenship with an executive order

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is giving President Trump's assertion that he can end birthright citizenship via executive order a quick fact-check.

Ryan responded to Trump's claim on a radio show Tuesday afternoon, saying that this is "obviously" not something Trump would be able to do with an executive order, The New York Times reports. Ryan added that Republicans were unhappy when former President Barack Obama "tried changing immigration laws via executive action," suggesting conservatives should also be unhappy with this statement the president made.

Hours earlier, Trump had declared in an interview with Axios that he doesn't need Congress' help in ending citizenship rights for any person born in the country, even though this is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. Conservatives who support this change had previously proposed constitutional amendments, but Trump seems to think this isn't necessary. "It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment," Trump told Axios. "Guess what? You don't." Many legal scholars immediately suggested that this order would be unlikely to hold up in court, and Ryan agreed, saying the "14th Amendment is pretty clear."

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Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.