SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A U.S. appeals court has tossed out a lawsuit challenging President Barack Obama’s U.S. citizenship and his eligibility to serve as commander in chief.
It’s the latest legal setback for the so-called birther movement, which alleges that Obama was born in Kenya, rather than Hawaii. They claim his Hawaii birth certificate is a forgery and have filed multiple lawsuits, so far with no success.
The U.S. Constitution says only “a natural born citizen” may serve as president.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled Thursday that none of the challengers had legal standing to file the lawsuit. The plaintiffs included some of Obama’s political rivals, taxpayers and military personnel.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.