Fact Check: "First denaturalization case under new DOJ policy targets military veteran Elliott Duke."
What We Know
On June 13, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) successfully secured the denaturalization of Elliott Duke, a military veteran who had fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship while concealing his criminal activities related to child sexual abuse material. Duke, originally from the United Kingdom, enlisted in the U.S. Army and applied for citizenship in November 2012. During the naturalization process, he failed to disclose his criminal history, which included receiving and distributing child pornography, activities he engaged in while serving in Germany (Justice Department Secures Denaturalization of Convicted ...).
The DOJ's actions were part of a broader initiative to prioritize denaturalization cases involving naturalized citizens who have committed serious crimes. This focus was reinforced by a memo from the DOJ, which outlined plans to aggressively pursue denaturalization as one of its top enforcement priorities (DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship).
Analysis
The claim that Elliott Duke's case is the first denaturalization under the new DOJ policy is supported by the timeline and details provided by the DOJ. The memo announcing the prioritization of denaturalization cases was issued shortly before Duke's citizenship was revoked, indicating a direct link between the new policy and the actions taken in Duke's case (DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship).
The DOJ's statement emphasizes that individuals who commit serious crimes and lie during the naturalization process will be pursued for denaturalization, reflecting a commitment to uphold the integrity of U.S. citizenship (Justice Department Secures Denaturalization of Convicted ...). This case serves as a significant example of the DOJ's renewed focus on denaturalization, particularly in the context of serious criminal offenses.
However, it is important to note that while Duke's case is highlighted as a recent example of this policy in action, the historical context of denaturalization efforts in the U.S. shows that such actions have been taken in the past, albeit under different administrations and policies. The current initiative is characterized by a more aggressive approach, particularly towards individuals who have committed heinous crimes (DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship).
Conclusion
The claim that Elliott Duke's case is the first denaturalization under the new DOJ policy is True. The evidence clearly shows that Duke's citizenship was revoked as part of the DOJ's newly prioritized efforts to denaturalize individuals who have committed serious crimes and misrepresented their criminal history during the naturalization process. This case exemplifies the DOJ's commitment to enforcing immigration laws and maintaining the integrity of U.S. citizenship.
