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U.S. judge temporarily blocks Trump’s order restricting birthright citizenship
A federal judge blocked Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday from implementing the Republican president’s executive order curtailing the right to automatic birthright citizenship in the United States, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.”
Seattle-based U.S. District Judge John Coughenour issued a temporary restraining order at the urging of four Democratic-led states – Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon – preventing the administration from enforcing the order.
Trump signed the order on Monday, his first day back in office.
The judge, an appointee of Republican former President Ronald Reagan, dealt the first legal setback to the hardline policies on immigration that are a centerpiece of Trump’s second term as president.
“Obviously we’ll appeal,” Trump said of Coughenour’s ruling.
Trump’s executive order had directed U.S. agencies to refuse to recognise the citizenship of children born in the United States if neither their mother nor father is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
“I am having trouble understanding how a bar member could state unequivocally that this order is constitutional,” the judge told a U.S. Justice Department lawyer defending Trump’s order.
“It just boggles my mind,” he added.
The states argued that Trump’s order violated the right enshrined in the citizenship clause of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment that anyone born in the United States is a citizen.
“I’ve been on the bench for over four decades. I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one.
“This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,” Coughenour said of Trump’s policy.
Coughenour’s order, announced following a short hearing in a packed courtroom with other judges watching, prevents Trump’s policy from being enforced nationwide for 14 days while the judge considers whether to issue a long-lasting preliminary injunction.
He will hear arguments over whether to do so on Feb. 6.
Under Trump’s order, any children born in the United States after Feb. 19 whose mother and father are not American citizens or lawful permanent residents would be subject to deportation and would be prevented from obtaining Social Security numbers, various government benefits, and the ability as they get older to work lawfully.
“Under this order, babies being born today don’t count as U.S. citizens,” Washington state Assistant Attorney General Lane Polozola, referring to Trump’s policy, told the judge during the hearing.
Justice Department lawyer Brett Shumate argued that Trump’s action was constitutional and called any judicial order blocking it “wildly inappropriate.”
But before Shumate had even finished responding to Polozola’s argument, Coughenour said he had signed the temporary restraining order.
The Justice Department plans to file papers next week to urge the judge not to issue a longer injunction, Shumate said.
A Justice Department spokesperson said it plans to “vigorously defend” Trump’s order.
“We look forward to presenting a full merits argument to the court and the American people, who are desperate to see our nation’s laws enforced,” the spokesperson said.
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, a Democrat, said he sees no reason to expect that the Justice Department would succeed in overturning Coughenour’s ruling on appeal, even if the matter goes to the U.S. Supreme Court, whose 6-3 conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Trump.
“You are an American citizen if you were born on American soil – period,” Brown said, adding: “Nothing that the president can do will change that.”
More than 150,000 newborn children would be denied citizenship annually if Trump’s order is allowed to stand, according to the Democratic-led states.
Since Trump signed the order, at least six lawsuits have been filed challenging it, most of them by civil rights groups and Democratic attorneys general from 22 states.
Democratic state attorneys general have said that understanding the Constitution’s citizenship clause was cemented 127 years ago when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that children born in the United States to non-citizen parents are entitled to American citizenship.
The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868 following the U.S. Civil War, overturned the Supreme Court’s notorious 1857 Dred Scott decision that had declared that the Constitution’s protections did not apply to enslaved Black people.
In a brief filed late on Wednesday, the Justice Department called the order an “integral part” of Trump’s efforts “to address this nation’s broken immigration system and the ongoing crisis at the southern border.”
Thirty-six of Trump’s Republican allies in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday separately introduced legislation to restrict automatic citizenship to only children born to American citizens or lawful permanent residents. (Reuters/NAN)
Mrs Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President, has launched two lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of defamation and infringement of her fundamental rights.
In her legal filings, Mrs Akpabio is seeking an astounding ₦250 billion in damages, alongside an additional ₦1 billion to cover legal costs.
The suits, presented to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, arise from sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against her husband, Godswill Akpabio, during an interview on Arise News last Friday.
In the fundamental rights suit (Suit No: CV/814/25), Mrs Akpabio contends that the statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan on 20th February 2025, as well as during the televised interview, represent a “flagrant violation” of her fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Referencing Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Mrs Akpabio is pursuing several legal remedies, including: “A declaration that the Senator’s remarks breached her fundamental rights and subjected her and her children to emotional and psychological distress.
“A perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan from making any further inciteful, scandalous, and defamatory remarks against her.
“₦250 billion in damages for what she categorises as exemplary, punitive, aggravated, and general damages incurred as a result of the senator’s statements.”
In a separate defamation lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25), the wife of the Senate President challenges the allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan, asserting that they have inflicted irreparable harm on her reputation and that of her family.
She argues that the claims, aired on national television, have “tarnished her family’s reputation and brought them into disrepute and opprobrium.”
“The Defendant’s assertion on national television that the Claimant’s husband, who serves as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, made sexual advances towards her without any substantiation has severely damaged the reputation of the Claimant and her entire family,” the suit states.
Mrs Akpabio is also seeking a court declaration affirming that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements were indeed defamatory.
Her requests include: “A declaration that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s assertions on national television—that the Claimant’s husband, the Senate President, made sexual advances towards her without evidence—have harmed her reputation and that of her family, resulting in disrepute and opprobrium.
“An order compelling Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a formal written retraction of her statements and to provide an unconditional apology to the Claimant and her family, to be published in two national newspapers.
“An order mandating Akpoti-Uduaghan to pay ₦1 billion in punitive and exemplary damages for the ramifications of her statements on the Akpabio family’s reputation.
“A perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further defamatory statements against the Akpabio family.”
These lawsuits represent a notable escalation in legal proceedings following a contentious exchange between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Akpabio.
The dispute first gained prominence when Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a verbal altercation with the Senate President during a Senate session, which she subsequently escalated by levelling allegations of sexual harassment during a televised interview.
The allegations have ignited a nationwide debate, drawing significant attention and eliciting mixed responses from the public.
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Governor Uba Sani Extends Warm Ramadan Greetings, Calls for Unity and Reflection in Kaduna State
As the holy month of Ramadan 1446 AH begins, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Muslim faithful in Kaduna State, Nigeria, and across the globe.
In his Ramadan message, Governor Sani emphasized the importance of reflection, empathy, and solidarity during this sacred period.
Governor Sani urged Muslims to embrace the noble values of Ramadan, including generosity, brotherhood, and cooperation. He called on citizens to share food, love, time, and respect with the less privileged in society, reinforcing the spirit of compassion that defines the holy month.
“This is the time to renew our relationship with Almighty Allah and seek His mercy for our state and country,” Governor Sani stated. He also encouraged citizens to pray fervently for the sustenance of peace and unity in Kaduna State, highlighting the strength of the state’s diversity.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to consolidating peace, revitalizing the economy, and ensuring sustainable growth and development in Kaduna State. “As a government, we shall continue to do all that is necessary to place Kaduna State irreversibly on the path to progress,” he said.
Governor Sani concluded his message with a prayer for the spirit of Ramadan to illuminate the hearts and souls of all citizens. “May this holy month bring blessings, peace, and prosperity to our state and nation. Ramadan Mubarak,” he added.
As Muslims across Nigeria commence the holy month of Ramadan, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Reverend Joseph Hayab, has called on the government to tackle insecurity, hunger, and economic hardship in the country.
In a goodwill message to the Muslim community on Saturday, Reverend Hayab emphasised the importance of Ramadan as a period of reflection, devotion, and unity.
He urged both leaders and citizens to use the fasting season to promote national cohesion through interfaith dialogue and mutual support.
“This special time is not only an opportunity for reflection and devotion but also a chance to strengthen the bonds of community and friendship,” he said.
“May your fasts be accepted, your prayers answered, and your hearts be filled with appreciation for the blessings in your lives.”
He also extended his best wishes to Muslims and their families, expressing hope that the period would bring peace, joy, and spiritual growth.
“In this blessed month, may you find tranquillity in your worship and kindness in your deeds. Let us embrace the spirit of giving and compassion, supporting one another as we journey through this sacred time,” he said.
Reverend Hayab reiterated his appeal to the government, stressing the urgent need to address the security and economic challenges facing Nigerians.
“We are appealing to the government to bring an end to insecurity, hunger, and hardship in the country,” he stated.
He further prayed for divine blessings upon the nation’s citizens and leaders, urging all Nigerians to use the Ramadan period to seek solutions to the country’s challenges through unity and honest dialogue.