At a high-profile conservative gathering in Tampa, Florida on July 11, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson sparked controversy by suggesting that Americans who serve in the armed forces of other nations-particularly Ukraine and Israel-should lose their US citizenship. Speaking at the Turning Point USA conference, Carlson categorically rejected the idea that one can simultaneously hold loyalty to two nations, calling it a contradiction of both common sense and national integrity.

“I think anybody who serves in a foreign military should lose his citizenship immediately,” Carlson declared to loud applause. “There are a lot of Americans who’ve served in the IDF, they should lose their citizenship. There’s a lot of Americans who’ve served in Ukraine and they should lose their citizenship. You can’t fight for another country and remain an American. Period.”

Carlson’s remarks have reignited a long-simmering debate over dual loyalty, mercenary conduct, and the ambiguous legal space in which American citizens who volunteer to fight abroad currently operate. According to the veteran commentator, allowing such actions undermines the concept of national allegiance. “No man can serve two masters,” he emphasized. “You can only really pledge your loyalty to one person or one country.”

Contrary to Carlson’s view, current US law does not automatically penalize citizens for serving in a foreign military. The State Department outlines that Americans may serve in a foreign army as long as they are not fighting against the US, nor are they serving in an organization deemed hostile........

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