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Donald Trump threatens to revoke comedian's US citizenship

Trump attends his Hush Money Trial
Trump attends his Hush Money Trial. Picture: Getty

By Henry Moore

Donald Trump is considering “taking away” comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s US citizenship amid the pair's ongoing feud.

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This move would be a clear breach of the Constitution, with a decades-old Supreme Court ruling expressly prohibiting such an action by the government.

"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," Mr Trump wrote in a social media post on Saturday.

Mr Trump added that Ms O'Donnell, who moved to Ireland in January, should stay there, “if they want her.”

Read more: Donald Trump announces 30% tariffs on the EU and Mexico

US comedian Rosie O'Donnell addresses a protest against US President Donald Trump
US comedian Rosie O'Donnell addresses a protest against US President Donald Trump. Picture: Getty

This is just the latest development in a years-long feud between the pair.

In recent days, O'Donnell on social media denounced Mr Trump and recent moves by his administration, including the signing of a massive tax breaks and spending cuts plan.

It is just the latest threat by Mr Trump to revoke the citizenship of people with whom he has publicly disagreed, most recently his former adviser and one-time ally, Elon Musk.

But Ms O'Donnell's situation is notably different from Mr Musk, who was born in South Africa.

Ms O'Donnell was born in the United States and has a constitutional right to US citizenship.

The US State Department notes on its website that US citizens by birth or naturalisation may relinquish US nationality by taking certain steps - but only if the act is performed voluntary and with the intention of relinquishing U.S. citizenship.

Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, noted the Supreme Court ruled in a 1967 case that the 14th Amendment of the constitution prevents the government from taking away citizenship.

"The president has no authority to take away the citizenship of a native-born US citizen," Ms Frost said in an email on Saturday.

"In short, we are nation founded on the principle that the people choose the government; the government cannot choose the people."