Donald Trump threatens to revoke Rosie O’Donnell’s citizenship – is he allowed to?

President Donald Trump has threatened to revoke lesbian comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s US citizenship – but can he do it?

Writing on his own social media platform Truth Social on Saturday (12 July), the president said: “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.

“She is a threat to humanity and should remain in the wonderful country of Ireland, if they want her.”

The lesbian comedian, who moved to Ireland following Trump’s win in last year’s presidential election, responded by taking to Instagram to call him “everything that is wrong with America”. 

She was supported by former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, who shared Trump’s and O’Donnell’s posts, writing: “Good for you, [Rosie]”.

In a separate Instagram post, O’Donnell branded Trump again “a dangerous, old, soulless man”, and asked: “You gonna deport all who stand against your evil tendencies? You’re a bad joke who can’t form a coherent sentence.”

@pinknews Rosie O'Donnell has responded to Donald Trump threatening to revoke her US citizenship.On July 12, Trump took to Truth Social to post ‘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. She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA!’Rosie took to Instagram that same day to write ‘the president of the usa has always hated the fact that i see him for who he is – a criminal con man s3xual abusing liar out to harm our nation to serve himself – this is why i moved to ireland – he is a dangerous old soulless man with dementia who lacks empathy compassion and basic humanity- i stand in direct opposition all he represents- so do millions of others – u gonna deport all who stand against ur evil tendencies – ur a bad joke who cant form a coherent sentence’Lesbian comic and actress Rosie O'Donnell has been a long time critic of Donald Trump. Their feud seemingly began in 2006, when she criticized his moral character, calling him a “snake-oil salesman” and “not a self-made made,” while she was a host of The View on ABC. There is no presidential power to strip anyone of citizenship, but since returning to the White House, Trump has sought to end birthright citizenship, guaranteed to Americans under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. #lgbtqia #america #donaldtrump #rosieodonnell #lesbian #comedian ♬ Minimal for news / news suspense(1169746) – Hiraoka Kotaro

Are Trump’s threats legal or is it bluster? Can a president revoke a US citizenship?

The feud between the pair, which appears to have started in 2004, has left many wondering whether Trump has the power to follow through on his threat.

The simple answer is: no. The 14th amendment of the US constitution guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the country.

“All persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside,” the amendment makes clear.

Citizens are able to relinquish their US nationality if they so wish, while naturalised citizens can have their citizenship revoked, but only under specific conditions and through a formal legal process.

As University of Virginia School of Law professor Amanda Frost told the Associated Press: “The president has no authority to take away the citizenship of a native-born US citizen.” 

The Supreme Court ruled in 1967 that the 14th amendment prohibited the government cancelling citizenship, she said, adding: “We are a nation founded on the principle that the people choose the government, the government cannot choose the people,” Sky News reported.

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