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

Published July 12, 2025
VERDICT
False

# Fact Check: "Trump can revoke the citizenship of any American citizen." ## What We Know The claim that "Trump can revoke the citizenship of any Ame...

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.

Sources

  1. Protecting The Meaning And Value Of American Citizenship
  2. Denaturalization (Revoking Citizenship) Generally
  3. Can Trump revoke birthright citizenship?
  4. DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship
  5. Trump DOJ stripping citizenship from naturalized Americans
  6. Breaking Down Trump's Attempt to End Birthright Citizenship
  7. Can Trump Deport U.S. Citizens Like Elon Musk and ...
  8. Denaturalization Under the Trump Administration: Legal ...

Have a claim you want to verify? It's 100% Free!

Our AI-powered fact-checker analyzes claims against thousands of reliable sources and provides evidence-based verdicts in seconds. Completely free with no registration required.

💡 Try:
"Coffee helps you live longer"
100% Free
No Registration
Instant Results

Comments

Leave a comment

Loading comments...

More Fact Checks to Explore

Discover similar claims and stay informed with these related fact-checks

Fact Check:  Trump is considering the possibility of granting American citizenship to Israeli captives currently held in Gaza.
Unverified
🎯 Similar

Fact Check: Trump is considering the possibility of granting American citizenship to Israeli captives currently held in Gaza.

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Trump is considering the possibility of granting American citizenship to Israeli captives currently held in Gaza.

Aug 18, 2025
Read more →
Fact Check: Did American veterans get arrested in DC legally protesting Trump  taking over dc
Unverified
🎯 Similar

Fact Check: Did American veterans get arrested in DC legally protesting Trump taking over dc

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Did American veterans get arrested in DC legally protesting Trump taking over dc

Aug 14, 2025
Read more →
Fact Check: Did American veterans get arrested in DC well legally protesting Trump
True
🎯 Similar

Fact Check: Did American veterans get arrested in DC well legally protesting Trump

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Did American veterans get arrested in DC well legally protesting Trump

Aug 14, 2025
Read more →
Fact Check: Donald Trump has announced a drastic plan to tackle crime in Washington D.C, despite figures reaching a 30-year low.
False

Fact Check: Donald Trump has announced a drastic plan to tackle crime in Washington D.C, despite figures reaching a 30-year low.

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Donald Trump has announced a drastic plan to tackle crime in Washington D.C, despite figures reaching a 30-year low.

Aug 18, 2025
Read more →
Fact Check: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's August 16th summit was the single greatest moment in history for democracies.
False

Fact Check: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's August 16th summit was the single greatest moment in history for democracies.

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's August 16th summit was the single greatest moment in history for democracies.

Aug 17, 2025
Read more →
Fact Check: Did Trump and Putin make a deal on a ceasefire in Ukraine?
False

Fact Check: Did Trump and Putin make a deal on a ceasefire in Ukraine?

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Did Trump and Putin make a deal on a ceasefire in Ukraine?

Aug 16, 2025
Read more →