Trump and son condemn ‘politically correct’ Mayor
President ignites row after taking Sadiq Khan quote out of context in string of tweets about attacks
PRESIDENT Donald Trump has called for an end to a “politically correct” approach to terrorism, as he criticised the Mayor of London following the London Bridge attack.
Mr Trump tweeted: “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.”
Selectively quoting Sadiq Khan, the Mayor, he added: “At least seven dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is ‘no reason to be alarmed!’” Mr Trump made an extra political point about gun control, adding: “Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now? That’s because they used knives and a truck!”
Of his domestic policy, the president said: “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!”
Mr Khan had tried to reassure people worried about the presence of extra armed police officers on the streets in the days to come. The Mayor had said: “My message to Londoners and visitors to our great city is to be calm and vigilant today. You will see an increased police presence today, including armed officers and uniformed officers. There is no reason to be alarmed by this.
“We are the safest city in the world. You saw last night, as a consequence of our planning, our preparation and the rehearsals that took place, the swift response from the emergency services tackling the terrorists but also helping the injured.”
Mr Trump’s son, Donald Jr, tweeted a link to an article from last year in which Mr Khan remarked that being prepared for terrorist attacks was now “part and parcel” of living in a big city, with the comment: “You have to be kidding me!?”
Dan Scavino, the White House head of social media, told Mr Khan: “Wake up !!!! ”
Politicians and commentators pointed out that Mr Trump Sr had taken Mr Khan’s “no reason to be alarmed” remark out of context.
Mr Khan’s spokesman said: “The Mayor is busy working with the police, emergency services and the Government to coordinate the response to this horrific and cowardly terrorist attack.
“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.”