Trump surprise rattles GOP in final stretch

Trump's plan to end birthright citizenship has tossed a grenade into the final stretch of the midterm elections, roiling centrist Republicans and further endangering a House majority already at risk of slipping away.

While Trump's proposal could boost Senate GOP candidates and earned applause from allies such as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), others worry it could hurt the party's chances in key suburban swing districts - critical territory to retaining the House.

Trump's call to change the Constitution via executive order also struck a discordant note with a GOP conference that filed court briefs in a lawsuit against former President Obama's executive actions on immigration.

"Well, you obviously cannot do that. You cannot end birthright citizenship with an executive order," Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) told Lexington, Ky., radio station WVLK. "We didn't like it when Obama tried changing immigration laws via executive action, and obviously as conservatives, we believe in the Constitution."

Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.), who supported immigration reform efforts this summer and is locked in a tough reelection battle in his Miami-area district, blasted Trump over the proposed move.

"Birthright citizenship is protected by the Constitution, so no @realDonaldTrump you can't end it by executive order," Curbelo tweeted. "What we really need is broad immigration reform that makes our country more secure and reaffirms our wonderful tradition as a nation of immigrants."

Trump's vow seemed aimed at stoking his base, but the reaction from Republicans indicated they are increasingly worried about how the fight to retain their House majority is going.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-surprise-rattles-gop-in-final-stretch/ar-BBP9mQY?li=BBnb7Kz