WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has said he would revoke the U.S. citizenship of naturalized Americans “in a heartbeat” if he believed they were dishonest or posed a threat to the country.
Trump made the remarks during a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times last week. A transcript of the roughly two-hour Oval Office interview was released on Sunday and included a contentious exchange on immigration, national security, and citizenship.
“If they deserve to be stripped, I would, yes,” Trump said when asked whether he would revoke citizenship from naturalized Americans. Pressed further, he added, “I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
The president said his administration was “looking at criteria” for such actions but did not specify what standards would be used. He rejected the idea that citizenship protections should be absolute, arguing that loyalty to the country and honesty should determine eligibility.
During the interview, Trump repeatedly referenced Somali Americans while discussing immigration, calling Somalia “one of the worst in the world” and claiming that people from the country had caused serious problems in the United States.
When asked whether people of Somali descent were among those he would consider for citizenship revocation, Trump replied, “Sure I would,” adding, “if they were dishonest.”
Trump also singled out Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, saying she should be “immediately thrown out of Congress” and sent back to Somalia. Asked whether she should lose her U.S. citizenship, Trump responded, “Oh, absolutely.”
Reporters challenged Trump on the lack of evidence supporting some of his claims, including allegations about Omar’s personal history, which they said were unproven. Trump dismissed those objections and maintained that his views were justified.
He brushed aside concerns that his comments could be seen as targeting entire communities, saying, “I don’t care. I want great people in this country. I want people that love the country.”
Trump said judges could limit his actions in some cases but suggested his authority was broader in matters related to law and order. He said he had been elected on promises to strengthen border control and improve public safety.
The president also raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, which would significantly expand presidential authority to deploy the military domestically, though he said he had not yet found it necessary to do so.
The comments come amid ongoing legal battles over immigration enforcement, deportations, and civil rights, as well as broader debates over the constitutional limits of executive power. Under U.S. law, revoking citizenship is rare and typically requires proof of fraud during the naturalization process, with courts playing a central role. (Source: IANS)
