Trump surprise rattles GOP in final stretch

President TrumpDonald John TrumpActivists call on DC officials to rename street in front of Saudi Embassy after Khashoggi Five takeaways from the final Indiana Senate debate Avenatti says FBI told him he was targeted by alleged mail bomber MORE'S plan to end the birthright of the elections, roiling centrist Republicans and further endangering the House of Commons.

While Trump's proposal could boost Senate GOP candidates and earned applause from allies such as Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamFive takeaways from the final Indiana Senate debate Vulnerable Senate (R-S.C.), Others worry it could hurt the party's chances in key suburban swing districts.

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

"Well, you obviously can not do that. You can not be born with an executive order, "Speaker Paul RyanPaul Davis RyanTrump plans executive order to end birthright citizenship Trump's birthright proposal 'unconstitutional' Trump visits Pittsburgh synagogue MORE (R-Wis.) Told Lexington, Ky., WVLK radio station. "We did not like it when Obama tried changing immigration laws through executive action, and obviously as conservatives, we believe in the Constitution."

Rep. Carlos CurbeloThe Hill's 12:30 Report GOP lawmaker: Trump 'can not amend Constitution or laws via executive order' MORE (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 you can not end it by executive order," Curbelo tweeted. "What we really need is more immigration to make our country more secure and reaffirm our wonderful tradition as a nation of immigrants."

Trump's Your Home, But the reaction of Republicans indicated they are more likely to stay in the House of Commons.

Rep. Barbara ComstockBarbara Jean ComstockElection Countdown: One week from midterms | House battlefield expands | Trump double down on immigration | Steve King's GOP campaign chief rebukes | Clinton team quiets 2020 talk | Sanders will not promise to be full House Majority PAC cancels ads for Comstock The Hill's Morning Report – Presented by PhRMA – One week to the midterms: Election handicappers weigh in MORE (Va.), One of the most vulnerable GOP lawmakers, panned Trump's plan while skirting direct criticism of Trump. "The lean democratic" by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, and a Democratic-aligned PAC $ 800,000 in schedule TV ads in a sign of growing confidence.

It's possible Trump's proposal could help GOP Senate candidates in such states as North Dakota and Montana, where Republicans are trying to gain seats. But it could be detrimental to other Senate GOP candidates such as Sen. Dean HellerDean Arthur HellerPoll: Cruz lead over O'Rourke to 5 points Biggest election winner? Polarization in America The Hill's Morning Report – Presented by PhRMA – Tensions boil in Washington after bomb scares MORE in Nevada or Gov. Rick Scott in Florida.

Scott, who is in a tight race with Sen. Bill NelsonClarence (Bill) William NelsonElection Countdown: One week from midterms | House battlefield expands | Trump double down on immigration | Steve King's GOP campaign chief rebukes | Clinton team quiets 2020 talk | Sanders will not promise to serve in the city of London. (D-Fla.), Did not answer a question on the issue. His office is in need of a statement saying he needs to fully review the proposal.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellFive takeaways from the final Indiana Senate debate Trump visits Pittsburgh synagogue McConnell backs death penalty in Pittsburgh, Louisville shootings MORE (R-Ky.) Was silent on the issue Tuesday.

Trump's proposal is just the latest escalation of his hard-line immigration rhetoric, which has been ramping up in the final weeks before Election Day.

The president said in an interview that he planned to have an executive order that would terminate birthright citizenship for noncitizens who are born on U.S. soil. The president said that he already ran the idea by his legal counsel and that "it will happen," though he did not offer a timeline.

"It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment. Guess what? You do not, "Trump told Axios.

Some House Republicans accused Trump of hurting his own party with the remarks.

"We all know challenges of suburban R's," tweeted retiring Rep. Ryan CostelloRyan Anthony CostellloBirthright citizenship vow shows Trump doubling down on immigration gambit GOP lawmaker rips Trump for Stormy Daniels attack: This is 'unbecoming of any man' Trump goes on 12-tweet Twitter tirade MORE (R-Pa.). "So now POTUS, out of nowhere, brings birthright citizenship up. Besides being basic tenet of America, it's political malpractice. "

Trump is the country's final weekend before the election, but its schedule suggests a focus on the Senate, with stops in Florida, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee and Indiana.

House Republicans fighting to limit their losses are likely to be confronted with questions about their positions on Trump's birthright citizenship plan, putting together a tough position.

"I believe in the Constitution and do not think this works," Rep. Tom ReedThomas (Tom) W. ReedCook shifts 8 House races towards Dems Democrats see hypocrisy in GOP attacks on 'liberal mob' GOP on timing of Haley's announcement: 'Unusual' and 'odd' MORE (R-N.Y.), Co-chairman of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, said in a statement gently pushing back at Trump.

"What we need to do is to fix the broken border of a wall and technology," said Reed, whose race is rated as "likely Republican."

"At the same time, I appreciate the president trying to solve the problem, but believe the best way is to take action in Congress to secure the border and then leave it to the people He said.

Reed was one of the 23 Republicans who signed a petition that would have forced action on a series of immigration bills.

The effort was made by centrist Republicans like Curbelo who were worried about their reelection chances, especially after Trump rescinded an Obama-era program protecting immigrants who came to the country illegally as children.

Endangered Rep. Mia LoveLudmya (Mia) LoveElection Countdown: One week from midterms | House battlefield expands | Trump double down on immigration | Steve King's GOP campaign chief rebukes | Clinton team quiets 2020 talk | Sanders will not promise to serve you in the future Poll: Dem challenger leading Mia Love in Utah Homestead race Republicans should prepare for Nancy Pelosi to wield the gavel MORE (R-Utah), the daughter of Haitian immigrants and one of the petition signers, pushed back against Trump's proposed executive order.

"I have always opposed the law," Love said in a statement. "The Constitution gives Congress, not the President, the power to 'establish a uniform rule of naturalization and the 14th Amendment makes the conditions of citizenship. The Executive can not unilaterally change these facts. "

Another petition backer, Rep. Mario Diaz-BalartMario Rafael Diaz-BalartFormer TV journalist gives GOP rare dose of hope in Florida Hill's 12:30 Report – Trump rips 'ridiculous' spending bill | FBI dragged into new fight | Latest on Maryland shooting Jeb Bush with Rick Scott in Florida MORE (R-Fla.), Also came out against the plan.

"I strongly disagree with the proposed executive order. As a Member of Congress, I take an oath to support the United States Constitution, "Diaz-Balart said in a statement.

Majority Whip Steve ScaliseStephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseDon Lemon: 'Right-winger' responsible for synagogue shooting; 'I do not see Democrats killing people' The Hill's Morning Report – Presented by PhRMA – Final stretch to the midterms amid backdrop of violence (R-La.), Who is aiming to move up the leadership ladder, expressed openness to the proposal and praised the president for his endeavor, though he did not weigh in on whether he was thinking of the plan is constitutional.

"I'm glad that the president is pursuing all the options that are available to him," Scalise told Fox News. "I'd like to see you again, get back to rule of law."

Conservative top goals, including Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark MeadowsMark Randall MeadowsTrump Plans Executive Order Silence of 'the lambs': The deafening quietude of the FISA and John Roberts Beleaguered FBI scores much-needed win MORE (R-N.C.) And train chairman Rep. Jim JordanJames (Jim) Daniel JordanTrump shots executive order to end birthright Silence of 'the lambs': The deafening quietude of the FISA and John Roberts House Republicans postpone Rosenstein interview MORE (R-Ohio), who's running for Speaker, did not weigh in.

In the Senate, Trump's proposal appeared to receive a warmer reception from some members.

Graham enthusiastically embraced the idea and quickly announced his own plans.

"Finally, a president willing to take on this absurd policy of birthright citizenship," said Graham in a string of tweets. "I've always supported comprehensive immigration reform – and at the same time – the elimination of birthright citizenship."

Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzPoll: Cruz leads O'Rourke by 10 points in Texas Senate race Movie theater chain encourages employees to vote by opening the door EXIM Bank's fate is tied to the outcome of Senate midterms MORE (R-Texas), who is facing a surprisingly competitive challenge from Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas), also voiced support for eliminating birthright citizenship.

Cruz told The Dallas Morning News that birthright citizenship encourages people to break the law.

"Indeed, there is a growing awareness of this issue, where women are in their minds of the United States," he said.

Jordain Carney and Scott Wong contributed.