Story perspectives

Supreme Court 5-4 expands birthright citizenship, sparks dissent.

7/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Supreme Court 5-4 ruling grants citizenship to babies born on U.S. soil, with John Roberts writing the majority.
Lynne Jackson, Dred Scott’s descendant, and Charlie Taney, Roger Taney’s descendant, met at St. Mark's Episcopal Church to mark ties.
Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, saying Fourteenth Amendment applies only to freed slaves, while Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson called ruling a “death knell” for citizenship and President Donald Trump continues to oppose birthright citizenship.

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Story summary

Supreme Court 5-4 ruling grants citizenship to babies born on U.S. soil, with John Roberts writing the majority.
Lynne Jackson, Dred Scott’s descendant, and Charlie Taney, Roger Taney’s descendant, met at St. Mark's Episcopal Church to mark ties.
Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, saying Fourteenth Amendment applies only to freed slaves, while Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson called ruling a “death knell” for citizenship and President Donald Trump continues to oppose birthright citizenship.