I was more than a little disappointed when I read that Utah Attorney General Derek Brown signed a legal brief supporting President Donald Trump’s efforts to end birthright citizenship.
Apparently Brown doesn’t know that this is a nation of immigrants and apparently is unaware of the 14th Amendment, which was adopted on July 9, 1868. It reads in part: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
The effort to end birthright citizenship is part and parcel of the Trump and MAGA xenophobic agenda to roll back the civil rights of certain groups. Their attack on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs is a prime example. Brown, a Republican, follows less-than-respected Republican attorneys general: Mark Shurtleff, who was investigated for corruption and bribery; John Swallow, who resigned after one year in office after for alleged improprieties; and Sean Reyes, who was audited by the Utah Legislature for conflicts of interest.
The new Utah A.G. is among 18 red state attorneys general who signed the brief to support Trump’s attack on birthright citizenship. Another of many signs that Utah’s Republican leaders are not independent but often appear to be in lockstep with Trump.
This country depends on its immigrants and their children. For example, the late Colin Powell, former Secretary of State and a four-star Army general, was a birthright citizen.
Our ideals and Constitution are under assault from Trump and his enablers, who put loyalty to Trump ahead of traditional American values.
It’s time we remind our Republican representatives that they took an oath to defend the Constitution, rather than to defend Trump.
Christopher Smart, Salt Lake City
