'True robotic-like extremism': Ron DeSantis bashed for disagreeing with SCOTUS' birthright citizenship ruling

CORALVILLE, IOWA: In a campaign town hall held at the American Legion Post 721 in Coralville, Iowa, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) expressed his stance on birthright citizenship, specifically addressing the children of illegal immigrants.

Challenging birthright citizenship rules

Approximately 50 people gathered on Thursday, December 21, to hear from the 2024 presidential hopeful as part of his efforts to secure support from Iowans ahead of the January caucuses. Governor DeSantis asserted the need to reconsider the rules granting automatic citizenship to children born in the United States to illegal immigrant parents.

“I don’t think people who come to the country illegally are entitled to birthright citizenship,” he said. "The original understanding of the 14th amendment was not that someone can come illegally, have a kid, and all of a sudden the kid is a citizen. I think it has created really perverse incentives."

He elaborated on the potential difficulties arising from the current system, stating, "It creates an anchor in this country," making immigration law enforcement more complex when a parent is deported, but the child remains a U.S. citizen.

DeSantis highlighted the lack of clarity from the Supreme Court on whether someone born in the U.S. to parents who crossed the border illegally is entitled to 14th Amendment rights. "Very few countries do birthright citizenship for [children of illegal aliens]," DeSantis added.

Social media backlash

Birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed by the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, came under scrutiny as DeSantis faced backlash on social media for his comments. Critics on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) accused him of extremism and disagreed with his interpretation of the Constitution.

"Ron Desanctimonious showing his true robotic-like extremism," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"So... he disagrees with the Constitution then? And he wants to be President? Get outta town!" another reacted.

"Hey Ron, You’re definitely not a 'plain language,' strict constructionist when the Constitution disrupts your intentions to get rid of anyone related to or associated with an immigrant," a comment read.

"So. Wants to change the part of the Constitution he personally disagrees with. Good to know," someone else added.

"Hard to believe he graduated from Harvard Law. Like, it doesn't seem possible," another wrote. 

During the hour-long town hall, DeSantis addressed various topics, including veterans affairs, his tenure as Florida's governor, response to Hurricane Ian, and opposition from Disney over laws restricting instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.

He also tackled questions on government spending, crisis management, and his advocacy for term limits for members of Congress. Regarding his push for term limits, DeSantis said, "I think we need term limits for members of Congress so they can get the job done, go home, and live under the laws that they pass."

The Florida governor also criticized national debt and inflation while emphasizing the importance of American energy independence.

Competitive landscape in Iowa

DeSantis, currently on a six-day swing through Iowa, faces stiff competition from ex-President Donald Trump, who leads the Republican presidential field with 50% backing among Iowa Republican voters, according to an Emerson College poll. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley follows at 17%, surpassing DeSantis at 15%.

Despite calls to remove himself from the Colorado primary in protest of Trump being removed from the ballot by the state Supreme Court, DeSantis dismissed the idea, asserting his commitment to competing in all states and accumulating the necessary delegates for the nomination.

In response to fellow GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's decision to withdraw from the Colorado primary, DeSantis told Newsmax’s 'Newsline' Wednesday, December 20, "I think that’s just playing into the left."

“I’ve qualified for all the ballots. I’m competing in all the states, and I’m going to accumulate the delegates necessary. That’s the whole name of the game in this situation," he added, per The Hill.

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