The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday on President Trump's executive order seeking to limit birthright citizenship, with several justices expressing skepticism about the administration's position during two hours of questioning.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer defended the executive order before the nine justices, but faced pointed questions from multiple members of the court. Justice Neil Gorsuch pressed Sauer on whether Native Americans should be considered birthright citizens under the administration's interpretation. Justice Amy Coney Barrett questioned what she characterized as potentially "messy" applications of the executive order's provisions.

The case centers on Trump's Day 1 executive order that aimed to end automatic birthright citizenship for certain individuals born in the United States. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution establishes that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."

Outside the courthouse, approximately 250 demonstrators gathered on the Supreme Court steps to defend birthright citizenship. The protesters chanted in support of the 14th Amendment right while the arguments proceeded inside.

In an unusual development, Trump himself observed the proceedings from the public gallery, marking an unprecedented appearance by a sitting president at Supreme Court oral arguments in a case involving his own administration's policy.

The justices' questions suggested uncertainty about the scope and implementation of the executive order, though their final ruling will not be known until a written decision is issued in the coming weeks or months.