Washington, Jan 12 (NationPress) - US President Donald Trump has declared that he would revoke the citizenship of naturalized Americans “in a heartbeat” if he suspects them of dishonesty or perceives them as a threat.

In an interview with The New York Times last week, the transcript of which was made public on Sunday, Trump engaged in a heated discussion regarding immigration, national security, and the concept of citizenship.

When asked if he would take action against naturalized Americans, he responded, “If they deserve to be stripped, I would, yes,” further emphasizing, “I’d do it in a heartbeat.”

Trump mentioned that his administration was “looking at criteria” for such citizenship revocations but did not specify any exact standards. He dismissed the notion that citizenship protections should be absolute, insisting that loyalty to the nation and honesty should dictate eligibility.

During the two-hour interview held in the Oval Office, Trump particularly focused on Somali Americans, labeling Somalia as “one of the worst in the world” and asserting that individuals from that region have caused significant issues in the United States.

When directly questioned if Somali individuals were a group he was contemplating for citizenship revocation, Trump affirmed, “Sure I would,” and added, “if they were dishonest.”

He specifically targeted Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from Minnesota, stating she should be “immediately thrown out of Congress” and returned to Somalia. When asked if she should lose her US citizenship, Trump answered, “Oh, absolutely.”

Reporters from The New York Times confronted Trump about the lack of evidence supporting some of his statements, including allegations concerning Omar’s background, which they claimed were unverified. Trump dismissed these challenges, insisting that his opinions were warranted.

He disregarded concerns that his remarks unfairly stereotyped entire communities, stating, “I don’t care. I want great people in this country. I want people that love the country.”

Trump contended that judges might hinder him in certain situations but suggested his authority was more expansive concerning law and order matters. He noted that he was elected based on promises regarding border security and public safety.

The president also hinted at the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, which would enhance presidential powers to deploy military forces domestically, although he indicated he had not yet found it necessary to do so.

Trump’s comments arise amid ongoing legal disputes over immigration enforcement, deportations, and civil rights, alongside broader discussions about the constitutional boundaries of executive authority.

According to US law, revoking citizenship is uncommon and usually requires proof of fraud during the naturalization process, with the judicial system playing a critical role.