Trump Investigates Revoking Rosie O’Donnell’s Citizenship

Trump Considers Revoking Rosie O’Donnell’s Citizenship, Ignorings Legal Precedent

President Donald Trump has publicly stated his consideration of revoking the U.S. citizenship of actress and comedian Rosie O’Donnell, a longtime critic. This move, however, directly contradicts a decades-old Supreme Court ruling that explicitly prohibits the government from stripping individuals of their citizenship.

“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,” Trump announced via social media on Saturday. He further suggested that O’Donnell, who relocated to Ireland in January, should remain there “if they want her.” The public feud between Trump and O’Donnell has been ongoing for years,predating Trump’s entry into politics.

O’Donnell has recently intensified her criticism of Trump and his governance’s policies, including the recently enacted tax cuts and spending reduction plan. This latest threat follows a pattern by trump, who has previously suggested revoking the citizenship of individuals with whom he publicly disagrees, including former advisor elon musk.

Tho, O’Donnell’s situation presents a distinct legal challenge compared to Musk’s, who was born in South Africa.O’Donnell is a native-born U.S. citizen, a status protected by constitutional rights.

According to the U.S. State Department, while U.S. citizens by birth or naturalization can relinquish their nationality, this action must be voluntary and demonstrate a clear intention to abandon U.S. citizenship.

Amanda frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, emphasized the Supreme Court’s 1967 ruling, which established that the Fourteenth Amendment prevents the government from revoking citizenship. “The president has no authority to take away the citizenship of a native-born U.S. citizen,” Frost stated. “In short, we are a nation founded on the principle that the people choose the government; the government cannot choose the people.”

O’Donnell’s move to ireland occurred after Trump secured his second term, defeating vice President Kamala Harris. She has indicated that she is in the process of acquiring Irish citizenship through familial heritage.

In response to Trump’s statement, O’Donnell took to social media, acknowledging her role in upsetting the president and stating her position as one of those who “oppose him at every turn.”

Could a law specifically targeting O’Donnell for citizenship revocation be constitutional under the current legal framework?

The Renewed Scrutiny of Naturalization & political Retaliation

recent reports indicate former President Donald Trump is reportedly exploring avenues to revoke the U.S. citizenship of comedian and actress Rosie O’Donnell. This development, surfacing amidst a broader climate of political polarization and legal challenges facing Trump, raises significant questions about the limits of presidential power and the potential for politically motivated actions regarding U.S. citizenship. The examination stems from claims questioning the validity of O’Donnell’s original naturalization process.

Past Context: Trump & O’Donnell’s Feud

The animosity between Donald trump and Rosie O’Donnell dates back to the early 2000s. Their public dispute began when O’Donnell criticized Trump’s participation in the Miss USA pageant. This escalated into years of increasingly personal attacks, with Trump repeatedly questioning O’Donnell’s character and fitness as a parent. This long-standing Trump-O’Donnell feud is a key element in understanding the current situation, suggesting a potential motive beyond purely legal concerns.

The Legal Basis for Citizenship Revocation

revoking U.S. citizenship is an extremely rare and complex legal process. It’s governed primarily by Section 320 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).Grounds for revocation typically involve:

Fraud in the naturalization process: This includes providing false facts or concealing material facts during the request process.

Lack of continuous residence: Failing to meet the residency requirements outlined in the INA.

Criminal activity: Certain criminal convictions can lead to denaturalization.

The burden of proof lies heavily on the government to demonstrate, by clear, unequivocal, and convincing evidence, that the citizenship was illegally procured. simply disliking someone, or a political disagreement, is not a legal basis for denaturalization.

Allegations Against Rosie O’Donnell & the investigation

The specific allegations driving Trump’s reported investigation haven’t been publicly detailed. However, sources suggest the focus is on the circumstances surrounding O’donnell’s mother’s naturalization, implying a potential irregularity that could impact O’Donnell’s own citizenship derived through her mother. This line of inquiry is considered controversial, as it attempts to retroactively apply scrutiny to events that occurred decades ago. Legal experts suggest this approach faces significant hurdles.

Potential Legal Challenges & Constitutional Concerns

Any attempt to revoke O’Donnell’s citizenship would almost certainly face immediate and vigorous legal challenges.Key constitutional concerns include:

Due Process: O’Donnell would have the right to a fair hearing and the chance to present a defense.

Equal Protection: The action could be challenged as discriminatory if it appears to be motivated by political animus.

Bill of Attainder: A law specifically targeting O’Donnell for punishment (through citizenship revocation) could be deemed unconstitutional.

The case would likely navigate through the immigration courts and potentially reach the Supreme court. The legal precedent surrounding citizenship rights is well-established, and successfully revoking citizenship is exceptionally tough.

The Broader Implications for Naturalized Citizens

This situation has sparked concerns among naturalized citizens and immigration advocates. The possibility of politically motivated denaturalization efforts could create a chilling affect, discouraging individuals from participating in public discourse or challenging those in power. It also raises questions about the security of citizenship for those who have met all legal requirements but might potentially be targeted due to their political views.

Trump’s Recent Legal & Political Landscape

It’s crucial to consider this development within the context of Trump’s current legal and political situation.As reported by Wikipedia (as of July 13, 2025), Trump recently secured the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election despite numerous legal challenges. Furthermore, a recent assassination attempt occurred during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. This volatile habitat may contribute to a heightened sense of grievance and a willingness to pursue unconventional or controversial actions. The timing of this investigation, following the attempted assassination, is being scrutinized by many.

Resources for Naturalized Citizens

USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services): https://www.uscis.gov/

Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC): https://www.ilrc.org/

* American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): https://www.aila.org/