NPR News: 06-30-2026 5PM EDT

Ryland Barton· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship today, rejecting President Trump's executive order declaring that children born to people in the US illegally or temporarily are not American citizens. The decision relied on a long-settled understanding of the Fourteenth Amendment and more recent federal laws. The ruling means anyone born in the US is a citizen with only limited exceptions. Trump's restrictions had already been blocked by lower courts. And transgender advocates are calling today's Supreme Court ruling on school sports participation a narrow loss, as NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin reports.

Selena Simmons-Duffin0:36

Two transgender student-athletes, Lindsey Hecox of Idaho and Becky Pepper-Jackson of West Virginia, challenged their states' bans on transgender participation in sports. The Supreme Court justices rejected their arguments and said that the states can set the rules around girls' sports to exclude trans students.

Joshua Block· Soundbite0:54

This was a loss, but it was a narrow loss.

Selena Simmons-Duffin0:59

Even though the decision was six to three, Joshua Block of the ACLU told reporters the majority opinion was targeted to these cases.

Joshua Block· Soundbite1:07

It didn't say that other states couldn't make a different policy choice and allow transgender girls to participate with cisgender girls.

Selena Simmons-Duffin1:16

Many states do allow trans students to play sports, but the Trump administration has been pressuring states to stop. Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR News, Washington.

Ryland Barton· Host1:25

The House voted down a resolution today directing President Trump to remove