Trump assails London mayor’s terror attack response; Sadiq Khan spokesman hits back at president’s ‘ill-informed’ tweet
President Trump attacked London Mayor Sadiq Khan and railed against political correctness in a series of tweets Sunday, appearing to misrepresent a quote from the mayor meant to reassure his city in order to scorn Khan’s response to terror attacks in the English capital.
“At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is ‘no reason to be alarmed!’” wrote Trump on Sunday morning, part of a string of tweets about the attack.
The president was referencing a statement by Khan in which he said that citizens shouldn’t be concerned about an increased police presence in the wake of the attacks that killed seven people and sent at least 48 hospitals across London.
Slideshow: Deadly terror attack in London >>>
“Londoners will see an increased police presence today and over the course of the next few days — no reason to be alarmed,” said Khan. “One of the things police and all of us need to do is make sure we’re as safe as we possibly can be.”
A spokesman for Khan responded to the Trump Twitter barbs on Sunday, stating the mayor himself had “more important things to do” aiding the city’s response and recovery.
“The mayor is busy working with the police, emergency services and the government to coordinate the response to this horrific and cowardly terrorist attack and provide leadership and reassurance to Londoners and visitors to our city,” the spokesman said.
“He has more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump’s ill-informed tweet that deliberately takes out of context his remarks urging Londoners not to be alarmed when they saw more police — including armed officers — on the streets.”
In an earlier statement on Twitter Khan said he was “appalled” and “furious” at the “sickening” attack. He condemned the incident and called the perpetrators “barbaric cowards.”
The president’s Sunday morning tweets on London appear to echo comments made on “Fox & Friends.”
Khan, a Muslim, called Trump’s view of Islam “ignorant” in a May 2016 interview.
“I think they’re very rude statements,” said Trump in response, “and frankly, tell him, I will remember those statements. They’re very nasty statements.”
As police were responding to the attack Saturday night, Trump tweeted that the incident was a reason that the United States needed a “travel ban.” The White House and its lawyers have previously said that their executive order was not a “ban.” Trump’s tweet could come into play if the case reaches the Supreme Court.
The relationship between British and United States intelligence was strained in the wake of last month’s attack in Manchester, after U.S. officials leaked information about the investigation that reportedly left their British counterparts “furious.”
The White House press pool reported that the president, following his Sunday morning tweets, traveled to the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia.
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Theresa May says general election WILL go ahead in wake of latest London atrocity
