The Impressive TimesFormer U.S. President Donald Trump ignited a firestorm over the weekend by claiming he is “seriously considering” revoking actress and comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship. The controversial statement, made via Trump’s Truth Social platform, immediately triggered widespread condemnation and raised serious constitutional questions.
“Rosie O’Donnell is a threat to humanity,” Trump wrote, suggesting she should remain in Ireland, where she recently relocated. However, legal scholars and constitutional experts were quick to denounce the claim, pointing out that such a move would be entirely unconstitutional.
Rosie O’Donnell, born in New York in 1962, is a U.S. citizen by birth. The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution firmly protects the citizenship of all individuals born on American soil. “There is no legal basis for the President—or any person—to strip someone of their citizenship, especially when they
Trump accused O’Donnell, a long-time critic, of being a “threat to humanity” and suggested she should remain in Ireland, where she currently resides. However, O’Donnell, born in New York in 1962, holds citizenship by birth — a right protected by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Legal experts swiftly responded, calling Trump’s statement not only “baseless” but “alarming in its ignorance of constitutional protections.”
“Citizenship by birth cannot be taken away by presidential decree,” said Jonathan Turley, a constitutional law professor at George Washington University. “There is absolutely no constitutional provision that allows a president to revoke someone’s citizenship arbitrarily.”
Rosie O’Donnell has yet to respond publicly to Trump’s post, but she has been vocal in her criticism of his policies and rhetoric in recent years. Earlier this year, O’Donnell relocated to Ireland, citing growing concerns over the state of civil liberties in the United States. She previously expressed her unease with what she calls “the erosion of public institutions under Trump’s leadership.”
The feud between Trump and O’Donnell dates back nearly two decades, marked by a public exchange of insults and accusations. However, legal analysts are warning that the latest remark could set a dangerous precedent in political discourse.
“This is not just a celebrity spat,” said legal analyst Amanda Grant. “When a former president threatens to revoke someone’s citizenship over political differences, it’s not only unconstitutional — it’s authoritarian.”
The U.S. Constitution remains clear: All persons born on American soil are citizens by birthright, and no president or government agency can revoke that right unless the individual chooses to renounce it voluntarily.
As of now, Trump has not offered any clarification or walked back his statement, but legal experts and civil liberties organizations have urged citizens to remain vigilant and informed about their constitutional protections.
No Comments: