Justice Roberts Ends Year With a Puzzle

Chief Justice John Roberts concluded the Supreme Court's 2025 report with a quote from Calvin Coolidge, the 30th U.S. president. The quote, delivered by Coolidge in 1926 during the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, has ignited discussions and debates.

Calvin Coolidge's Legacy

Coolidge's administration was marked by efforts to stabilize the country's finances post-World War I. His conservative fiscal policies included tax cuts, debt reduction, and streamlining government operations. Notably, he signed the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, granting U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans born in the country. However, his legacy is complex.

Coolidge also signed the Immigration Act of 1924, a highly restrictive law that set limits on immigration and favored certain groups. This act is widely regarded as a dark spot in U.S. history.

Mixed Views on Immigration

Experts have varying opinions on Coolidge's role in immigration. Some argue he was not a central figure in the debates, while others highlight the restrictive nature of the law he signed. The act's discriminatory policies have left a lasting impact.

Supreme Court's Current Dilemma

Roberts' choice of quote comes at a pivotal moment for the Supreme Court. The justices are currently considering a challenge to a presidential order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. Some justices have expressed concerns about altering longstanding interpretations of the Fourteenth Amendment, particularly the practical consequences of such a change.

The Fourteenth Amendment

The Fourteenth Amendment, which has been law for over a century, grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil. The Supreme Court's decision, expected by summer 2026, will have significant implications for who qualifies as a U.S. citizen by birthright.