In a surprising move, President Trump announced he is contemplating revoking the U.S. citizenship of actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell, despite a long-standing Supreme Court ruling that explicitly forbids such actions by the government. In a social media post on Saturday, Trump expressed his concerns about O'Donnell, stating, "Because of the fact that Rosie O'Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship."
The contentious relationship between Trump and O'Donnell dates back years, long before Trump's political career began. The two have engaged in a bitter public feud that has escalated in recent weeks. O'Donnell, who recently relocated to Ireland, has been vocal on social media, criticizing Trump and his administration's recent actions, including the signing of a significant GOP-backed tax breaks and spending cuts plan.
In response to Trump's comments, O'Donnell took to social media to declare that she had upset the president. "Add me to the list of people who oppose him at every turn," she wrote. O'Donnell further stated, "Trump has always hated the fact that I see him for who he is - a criminal con man sexual abusing liar out to harm our nation to serve himself - this is why I moved to Ireland."
O'Donnell's move to Ireland followed Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris for a second term. She is currently in the process of obtaining Irish citizenship based on her family lineage. This situation marks yet another instance of Trump threatening to revoke citizenship from individuals with whom he disagrees, a trend that has included former adviser Elon Musk. However, O'Donnell's case is distinct; she was born in the U.S. and possesses constitutional rights to her citizenship.
The U.S. State Department clarifies that U.S. citizens, whether by birth or naturalization, can relinquish their citizenship only through voluntary actions intended to do so. Since resuming office in January, Trump has aimed to limit pathways to citizenship and access to green cards. Recently, a federal judge issued a nationwide injunction against Trump's executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship.
Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, highlighted the constitutional protections afforded to U.S. citizens. "The Supreme Court ruled in a 1967 case that the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution prevents the government from taking away citizenship," she explained in an email on Saturday. Frost emphasized that the president lacks the authority to revoke the citizenship of a native-born U.S. citizen, reinforcing the notion that the U.S. is a nation founded on the principle that the people choose the government, not the other way around.
As the debate continues, Trump's threats against O'Donnell and others raise important questions about citizenship rights and the limits of governmental power in America.
