Fact Check: "Elliott Duke is first known case of citizenship revocation under Trump's new denaturalization efforts."
What We Know
Elliott Duke, a former U.K. citizen who enlisted in the U.S. Army, was granted U.S. citizenship in January 2013. He had applied for citizenship while serving in Germany and failed to disclose his criminal activities, which included the receipt and distribution of child pornography, during the naturalization process. Duke was arrested in May 2013, just months after receiving his citizenship, and was convicted in January 2014 for these crimes. His citizenship was ultimately revoked on June 13, 2025, following a complaint filed by the Justice Department based on his fraudulent naturalization application (Justice Department).
The case was part of a broader initiative known as Operation Prison Lookout, which aims to identify and prosecute individuals who have fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship (Justice Department).
Analysis
The claim that Elliott Duke is the "first known case" of citizenship revocation under Trump's denaturalization efforts is misleading. While Duke's case is significant and part of a recent push by the Justice Department to prioritize denaturalization cases, it is not the first instance of citizenship revocation under the broader context of U.S. immigration law. Historically, denaturalization has occurred for various reasons, including fraud, criminal activity, and misrepresentation during the naturalization process (Alienating Citizens).
Moreover, the Justice Department had already indicated plans to prioritize such cases prior to Duke's denaturalization, suggesting that other cases may have been in the pipeline or even resolved before his (NPR). Therefore, while Duke's case may be one of the first high-profile cases publicized under the Trump administration's denaturalization efforts, it cannot be definitively labeled as the first known case.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The assertion that Elliott Duke is the first known case of citizenship revocation under Trump's new denaturalization efforts is misleading. While his case is notable and represents a significant action by the Justice Department, it is not the first instance of such revocation, and there is evidence to suggest that other cases may have preceded it.
