WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has expressed intentions to explore the possibility of revoking the U.S. citizenship of actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell, a longtime adversary. This potential action contradicts a well-established Supreme Court ruling that prohibits the government from stripping citizenship. Trump made these comments in a social media post on Saturday, stating, "Because of the fact that Rosie O'Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship." He added that O'Donnell, who relocated to Ireland in January 2023, could remain there "if they want her."

The feud between Trump and O'Donnell has been ongoing for years, rooted in a history of public criticism that predates Trump's entry into politics. O'Donnell has recently taken to social media to voice her disapproval of Trump and his administration's actions, including a large tax break and spending cuts plan supported by the GOP. Her critique aligns with a pattern of Trump's threats to rescind the citizenship of those who disagree with him, as he previously threatened the citizenship of his former adviser and fellow entrepreneur, Elon Musk.

However, O'Donnell's case differs significantly from Musk's situation. Musk was born in South Africa and has a different citizenship status. In contrast, O'Donnell is a U.S. citizen by birth and retains constitutional rights to her citizenship. The U.S. State Department makes clear that U.S. citizens, whether by birth or naturalization, can only relinquish their citizenship voluntarily and with the intent to do so. Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, emphasized that the Supreme Court ruled in a 1967 case that the Fourteenth Amendment prevents the government from stripping away citizenship. She stated, "The president has no authority to take away the citizenship of a native-born U.S. citizen. In short, we are a nation founded on the principle that the people choose the government; the government cannot choose the people."

O'Donnell moved to Ireland after Trump secured a second term by defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. She has mentioned that she is in the process of securing Irish citizenship based on her family lineage. Reacting to Trump's recent comments, O'Donnell addressed him on social media, acknowledging that she has upset the president and declaring, "add me to the list of people who oppose him at every turn."

In summary, President Trump’s recent comments regarding Rosie O'Donnell highlight ongoing tensions between public figures, but his claims lack a legal foundation due to protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution. The discourse further underscores the contentious nature of political disagreements in today’s society.