President Donald Trump told an Axios interviewer that he planned to undo part of the 14th amendment.

Let that sink in a moment. The president is thinking about stripping away Americans' rights.

David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY NETWORK Tennessee

This past Constitution Day, Sept. 17, I was among a handful of speakers who talked about the USA's great covenant with its citizens at a private residence in Brentwood.

The activity was organized by the 917 Society, which has worked diligently to provide copies of the Constitution to eighth graders all across the state of Tennessee.

Founder and Executive Director Joni Bryan along with her team and supporters have worked hard to fulfill the promise of a federal law calling for civics education across America.

I spoke about the First Amendment – specifically free speech and freedom of the press – and was joined by other speakers who discussed different parts of the Constitution.

The U.S. Constitution, which was signed in 1787 and ratified in 1788, affirms and delineates the rights of Americans and also places restrictions on the power of government. There have been 27 amendments over more than 200 years to correct wrongs from the past, and it is very difficult to amend the Constitution.

Some common ground:Blackburn, Bredesen say halting birthright citizenship by executive order unconstitutional

The president has no authority to amend the Constitution

Article V stipulates that only Congress or state legislatures can start the process of amending the constitution.

"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress ..."

So, if the president of United States says he can unilaterally change the constitution with an executive order, he is dead wrong.

But our 45th president did say so.

President Donald Trump told an Axios on HBO interviewer that he planned to undo a portion of the 14th amendment that allows for people born in the United States to be citizens - also known as "birthright citizenship." It is a popular issue for his base and is based on the criticism that immigrants can come to America and have children here who automatically become citizens and are entitled to the protections and benefits of citizenship.

Section 1 of that amendment states:

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

History check: The 14th Amendment secured citizenship rights for freed slaves after the Civil War and also guarantees equal protection under the law.

Trump brazenly said in the Axios interview, which is set to air Sunday: "It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment. Guess what? You don't. You can definitely do it with an act of Congress. But now they're saying I can do it just with an executive order."

Let that sink in a moment. The president is thinking about stripping away Americans' rights.

Well, it is time for the president to dust off his copy of the Constitution.

Congress swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, so live up to it

The president and members of Congress take an oath to defend the Constitution so it is incumbent upon them to protect citizens from unconstitutional encroachments of power.

Imagine if the president or a future president said they planned to sign an executive order to strip the right to worship (First Amendment), the right to bear arms (Second Amendment) or the right to vote of African Americans, women and 18 year-olds (15th, 19th and 26th amendments).

Make no mistake, this is unsettling and our lawmakers need to stand up to the president on this one, regardless of whether they stand with him on other subjects.

Our nation is one of laws and those leaders need to follow the law. The president is not above the law.

When Trump arrives in Chattanooga for a rally on Sunday for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn, he should take back his unconstitutional proposition.

I challenge readers to read or re-read the Constitution, then contact your lawmakers and insist they uphold their constitutional oaths.

If they believe in the Constitution – as many say they do – they will denounce abuses of power by any elected or appointed official who threatens to take away anyone's rights.

If they won't and are running for public office, vote for someone else.

David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY NETWORK Tennessee and opinion and engagement editor for The Tennessean. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or tweet to him at @davidplazas.