Sen. Chris Murphy delivered a stark warning on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, accusing the Supreme Court of abetting President Trump in weakening American democracy. His remarks came in response to the Court’s recent decision limiting the use of nationwide injunctions by lower courts.
Host Kristen Welker asked Murphy about the ruling’s implications. He responded: “First, let’s talk about what it means for cases in this country for kids that are born in this country.” Murphy emphasized that under the Constitution, individuals born on U.S. soil are automatically citizens. But the new ruling could mean this right varies by state. “A child born in Connecticut… will be a citizen,” he noted, “but that same child, if they were born in Oklahoma, might not be; that is chaos.”
Murphy argued the Supreme Court’s decision effectively shields a president from immediate judicial oversight. When Trump suggests children born in the U.S. might not be granted citizenship, Murphy contended the courts should intervene. “By taking away the power of the courts to restrain the president… you are assisting him in trying to undermine the rule of law and undermine our democracy,” he stated.
He warned that the ruling undermines uniform legal rights by enabling a “patchwork” system where constitutional protections depend on geography. This empowers presidents to bypass Congress and the courts, he argued. “It will incentivize the president to act in a lawless manner,” Murphy asserted, explaining that only a limited number of Supreme Court cases can now check executive overreach each year.
Murphy stressed that removing judicial accountability escalates democratic erosion. He argued the Court’s decision translates into fewer protections against unconstitutional actions—from civil liberties to immigration and economic regulation. Murphy urged a legislative remedy, calling on Congress to restore clarity and maintain national consistency in safeguarding citizenship rights and preventing executive lawlessness.
