Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, criticized NBC News for leaving out key parts of the 14th Amendment during an interview with President-elect Donald Trump. Lee accused the network of “selectively omitting” important words to shape the discussion on birthright citizenship.
Trump, in the interview on NBC’s "Meet the Press," confirmed plans to end birthright citizenship “on Day One.” He called the policy “ridiculous.” The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to anyone born in the U.S., regardless of their parents' status.
Host Kristen Welker pushed back, stating the amendment says all persons born in the U.S. are citizens. She questioned if Trump could bypass the amendment with executive action. Trump affirmed he was open to the idea, saying the U.S. is the only country with such a policy and “we have to end it.”
Later, Lee shared a clip of the exchange on X, formerly Twitter. He pointed out that Welker omitted six critical words from the 14th Amendment: “and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” “Those words matter,” Lee wrote, emphasizing their importance with asterisks.
In a detailed 12-part thread, Lee explained Congress’s role in defining birthright citizenship. He argued that Congress could clarify what “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” means, potentially excluding children of illegal immigrants.
Lee criticized “Meet the Press” for presenting the issue as settled by omitting key constitutional text. “It bothers me that @MeetThePress has become so one-sided,” he wrote. He accused the program of trying to make a debatable issue seem beyond debate.
During the interview, Trump addressed other major topics, including unifying the nation and restoring the country’s global reputation. He promised his inaugural address would focus on unity and success. “It’s going to be about bringing our country together,” Trump said. “Making it safe. Keeping people out who shouldn’t be here. Success brings unity.”