In a bold assertion during a recent interview, President Donald Trump declared he has the power to revoke American citizenship with a single stroke. Speaking to The New York Times last week, Trump laid out his rationale: disloyalty or posing a major threat to the nation. The full transcript dropped on Sunday, sparking intense debate on immigration, national security, and citizenship rights.
Trump was directly asked about stripping citizenship from naturalized Americans—those who gained it through legal processes after being born abroad. ‘If it should be taken away from them, I would do it, yes,’ he responded. Pressed further on the speed, he doubled down: ‘I would do it immediately.’
This comes as his administration works on defining specific criteria. Trump emphasized loyalty and honesty to the country as key benchmarks, arguing that citizenship protections shouldn’t be absolute for everyone. The two-hour Oval Office exchange also veered into immigration hot buttons, with Trump repeatedly calling out Somali-Americans. He labeled Somalia one of the world’s worst nations and accused its immigrants of causing serious issues in the US.
When pinpointed on whether Somali-origin citizens were a target group, Trump didn’t mince words: ‘If they’re dishonest, I certainly would.’ He went further, naming Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, insisting she should be booted from Congress and sent back to Somalia immediately. On whether she should lose her US citizenship? ‘Oh, absolutely,’ he shot back.
Reporters challenged him on lacking evidence for some claims, including personal allegations against Omar that haven’t been proven. Trump brushed off the pushback, standing firm on his views. He rejected concerns that his words paint entire communities with a broad brush, stating flatly, ‘I don’t care. I want good people in this country. I want people that love the country.’
Trump acknowledged judges might block him in certain cases but asserted broader presidential authority on law and order, border control, and public safety—core promises of his campaign. He even floated invoking the Insurrection Act, an ancient law allowing military deployment when states can’t handle unrest, though he said it hasn’t been necessary yet.
These remarks land amid ongoing battles over immigration enforcement, deportations, civil rights, and the constitutional limits of executive power. US law rarely revokes citizenship, typically requiring proof of fraud during naturalization, with courts playing a pivotal role. Trump’s stance reignites questions about how far a president can go in safeguarding the nation’s identity.