Fact Check: Trump can revoke the citizenship of any American citizen.

Fact Check: "Trump can revoke the citizenship of any American citizen."

What We Know

The claim that "Trump can revoke the citizenship of any American citizen" is misleading. The ability to revoke citizenship is not a unilateral power held by the President. The U.S. Constitution, specifically the Fourteenth Amendment, establishes the principle of birthright citizenship, stating that "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States" (Protecting The Meaning And Value Of American Citizenship). This amendment has been foundational in defining citizenship in the U.S. since its ratification in 1868.

Moreover, the concept of denaturalization, which refers to the revocation of citizenship from naturalized citizens, is a complex legal process that requires specific grounds, such as fraud during the naturalization process (Denaturalization (Revoking Citizenship) Generally). The President does not possess the authority to revoke citizenship at will; such actions would likely face significant legal challenges and require judicial review.

Analysis

While President Trump has expressed intentions to end birthright citizenship through executive orders, most legal scholars assert that he lacks the constitutional authority to do so unilaterally. The Fourteenth Amendment has been interpreted to provide citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil, with very few exceptions (e.g., children of diplomats) (Can Trump revoke birthright citizenship?).

Trump's executive order aimed at restricting citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and those on temporary visas has faced legal challenges, and experts have noted that such an order would likely be deemed unconstitutional (Breaking Down Trump's Attempt to End Birthright Citizenship). Legal experts, including constitutional scholars, emphasize that changes to citizenship laws must go through Congress rather than being enacted by presidential decree (Can Trump revoke birthright citizenship?).

Furthermore, while the Trump administration has prioritized denaturalization cases against individuals who have committed crimes, this applies only to naturalized citizens and does not extend to revoking citizenship from individuals born in the U.S. (DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship, Trump DOJ stripping citizenship from naturalized Americans).

The sources consulted provide a clear consensus: the President cannot revoke citizenship arbitrarily or without following established legal processes.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that Trump can revoke the citizenship of any American citizen is incorrect. The authority to revoke citizenship is limited and cannot be exercised unilaterally by the President. The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees citizenship to those born in the U.S., and any attempts to alter this would require legal justification and likely face judicial scrutiny.