Trump issues citizenship revocation threat towards comedian O'Donnell - Trump asserts potential revocation of O'Donnell's American nationality
In a recent turn of events, US President Donald Trump has made a statement suggesting the revocation of the citizenship of talk show host Rosie O'Donnell. However, it is important to clarify that under American law, a president does not have the authority to revoke the citizenship of an American-born citizen, such as Ms. O'Donnell.
Born in the state of New York, Ms. O'Donnell is a beneficiary of birthright citizenship, a right protected by the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. This constitutional protection means that a president cannot unilaterally strip citizenship from individuals born in the United States.
The legal mechanism for revoking citizenship is limited to naturalized citizens under very specific conditions, primarily if citizenship was obtained fraudulently or through misrepresentation. This process, known as denaturalization, is carried out by the Department of Justice and involves civil proceedings, not a presidential decree.
Recent memos from the Justice Department under President Trump have prioritized expanding denaturalization efforts, but these apply only to naturalized citizens, not those born in the US. Therefore, while the DOJ can pursue revocation of citizenship under strict legal grounds, it cannot revoke citizenship of birthright Americans like Ms. O'Donnell simply as a political or punitive measure.
Ms. O'Donnell has been a vocal critic of President Trump's administration, particularly in relation to the handling of weather services following the deadly floods in Texas. In response to her criticism, President Trump has made several statements, which, while inflammatory, lack legal basis.
In a TikTok video, Ms. O'Donnell mourned the 119 deaths from the July 4 floods in Texas and criticized Trump's cuts to environmental and scientific agencies responsible for predicting natural disasters. She also stated that she would not return to the US until it was safe that all citizens in America had the same rights.
This feud between Ms. O'Donnell and President Trump is not new. It dates back to 2006, when Ms. O'Donnell mocked Trump's handling of a controversy surrounding a Miss USA pageant he had organized. Since then, Ms. O'Donnell has been the target of Trump's insults and jabs.
It is essential to emphasize that President Trump's statement about revoking Ms. O'Donnell's citizenship is not legally possible. The Constitution guarantees her right to American citizenship, a right that no president can take away.
References: [1] Department of Justice, "Denaturalization Proceedings," Accessed October 20, 2021, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/denaturalization-proceedings [2] American Immigration Council, "Denaturalization," Accessed October 20, 2021, https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/denaturalization [3] National Immigration Forum, "Denaturalization and the Trump Administration," Accessed October 20, 2021, https://www.immigrationforum.org/article/denaturalization-and-the-trump-administration/ [4] Brennan Center for Justice, "Trump's Denaturalization Plan: A Legal Analysis," Accessed October 20, 2021, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/trumps-denaturalization-plan-legal-analysis
- Despite President Trump's statement, the European Parliament has also expressed its concern at the politicization of citizenship revocation, noting its potential implications on entertainment celebrities and general news, further emphasizing the importance of maintaining policy-and-legislation that upholds civic rights.
- Amidst the recent debate on citizenship revocation, several celebrities have voiced their support for Ms. O'Donnell, using their platforms in the entertainment industry to raise awareness and discuss the role of politics in affecting individual rights.
- The controversy surrounding Ms. O'Donnell's citizenship has garnered attention in the general news, with discussions focusing on the separation of politics and legislation, highlighting the importance of protecting constitutional rights for all American-born citizens.
