Congresswoman Maxine Waters suggested that President Donald Trump should consider deporting his wife, Melania Trump, while criticizing his administration’s immigration policies.
Waters, a California Democrat, made the comment while opposing cuts to federal programs promoted by Trump adviser Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
In her remarks at a rally in Los Angeles, Waters referred to Trump’s stance on birthright citizenship, which he had attempted to challenge with an executive order. She said, “If he wants to start closely examining those born in the U.S. to undocumented parents, maybe he should first look at Melania.” Waters also criticized Trump’s policy, which sought to limit birthright citizenship, a move that has faced legal challenges.
Melania Trump, born in Slovenia, became a U.S. citizen in 2006 after marrying Donald Trump. She is the first first lady to be a naturalized citizen and the second to be born outside the U.S. Waters’ comments were made during a protest against the Trump administration’s policies, with demonstrators marching to the VA hospital in Los Angeles.
While Waters’ suggestion was rhetorical and unlikely to lead to actual action, it stirred controversy due to the nature of her statement.
