London Mayor Sadiq Khan: Donald Trump’s ‘Ill-Informed Tweet;’ ‘More Important Things To Do’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan won’t be responding to what he calls an “ill-informed tweet” from U.S. President Donald Trump. He said on Sunday that he had more important things to do in the wake of the terrorist attack than taking time out to engage in Twitter wars with POTUS.
Trump spent some time on Twitter Saturday evening and Sunday morning, starting by using the attack in London Saturday evening to promote his ban on immigrants from Muslim-majority countries, reiterating his call for the Supreme Court to reinstate the ban, which was blocked by a Federal Court earlier this year. Only after this politicizing of the attacks was criticized did Trump briefly change direction to offer aid and blessings to London. He then resumed addressing the attacks on a political level, speaking of political correctness and gun control.
We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2017
Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the U. K., we will be there – WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2017
We must stop being politically correct and get down to the business of security for our people. If we don't get smart it will only get worse
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017
Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now? That's because they used knives and a truck!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017
In the middle of the series of tweets, Donald Trump also directed a criticism to London Mayor Sadiq Khan, specifically for downplaying the dangers of terrorism by telling people not to react in fear.
At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017
However, Sky News shared a video report of Mayor Khan’s actual statement, which included calling terrorists cowards and vowing not to let them win. He did say that people shouldn’t be alarmed — but not about terrorism. Instead, Khan asks Londoners not to be frightened by an increased police presence over the next few days, in addition to asking people to be vigilant and aware. Khan specifically informed the public that the increased police presence would include armed anti-terrorism officers.
Mayor of London @SadiqKhan responds to #LondonAttack, saying "there can not be justification for the acts of these terrorists" #LondonBridge pic.twitter.com/qG6fYFAO1H
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 4, 2017
In fact, Sadiq Khan shared updates from the Metropolitan Police and UK Terrorism Police throughout the incident and afterward, including a reminder for citizens to contact authorities if they noticed anything suspicious, even if it seemed insignificant.
If you see anything suspicious, no matter how insignificant you might think it is, contact us. It may be vital #ActionCountersTerrorism pic.twitter.com/FWP3QOuSwB
— Counter Terrorism Policing (@TerrorismPolice) June 4, 2017
Khan also released a video statement of his own, again exhorting Londoners to be calm and vigilant, as well as condemning the attacks and expressing condolences to those who lost loved ones.
We are all shocked and angry today – but this is our city. We will never let these cowards win and we will never be cowed by terrorism. pic.twitter.com/kcosumkdCR
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 4, 2017
After Trump’s tweet appeared to suggest that Khan was asking the people of London not to take terrorism seriously, fact checkers, Londoners, journalists, and others quickly piled on to call him out and correct him.
This tweet is False. Trump takes the mayor completely out of context. https://t.co/gezhJDdMkB
— PolitiFact (@PolitiFact) June 4, 2017
London’s Mayor Said There’s “No Reason to be Alarmed” by a Terrorist Attack? https://t.co/SeNY8XnA1Z
— snopes.com (@snopes) June 4, 2017
Dear @realDonaldTrump ,this is London this afternoon. We don't do 'alarmed'. We grieve, we trust law enforcement and we get on with it. pic.twitter.com/FZGvVxVaDx
— Rebecca Front (@RebeccaFront) June 4, 2017
Mayor Sadiq Khan himself did not turn to Twitter to respond. Instead his office a statement regarding Trump’s tweet and Khan’s own words, as well as his priorities, according to Wales Online.
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.
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.
According to The Hill, London police believe all attackers involved were shot and killed at the scene. CNBC reports that an additional 12 individuals were arrested in apparent connection with the attack, though no identities have yet been released, other than that seven of the 12 are reportedly women.
No group has taken credit for the attacks, but police say the attackers appeared to be wearing explosive devices, making it necessary to shoot to kill on sight. No information has been released about how the additional 12 suspects were located, or what connection they have to the crime.
US. President Donald Trump’s Twitter tirade on the matter, and in particular the attack on London Mayor Sadiq Khan, has continued to garner negative feedback. If he intends to make any further clarifying statement or correction, he has yet to do so.
[Featured Image by Jack Taylor/Getty Images]
