British not thrilled with tweet from Trump

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday suggested British intelligence officials were aware of the assailant or assailants behind an unfolding terrorist attack on the London subway, an assertion that British officials called unhelpful speculation.

Prime Minister Theresa May alluded to Trump’s Twitter post in an interview with reporters, saying, “I never think it’s helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation.”

Trump had written: “Another attack in London by a loser terrorist. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!”

Later Friday morning, Trump said he had been briefed on the London terror attack and planned to call the prime minister, which he did.

The small explosion on a crowded Underground train during morning rush hour in the capital on Friday wounded at least 29 people, and authorities said they were treating the incident as terrorism. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack or whether the assailant or assailants had been on the radar of British intelligence, as Trump suggested.

In short remarks to reporters, Trump said he had been briefed on the explosion but did not elaborate on what he meant in his reference to Scotland Yard.

Police in London also alluded to the president’s Twitter post. “This is a live investigation and we will provide further updates as it progresses,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

“Any speculation is extremely unhelpful at this time,” the statement said.

The White House did not immediately respond to questions about Trump’s assertions.

Trump used the terrorist attack to revive his push for a travel ban for people from predominantly Muslim countries, an effort that has been hampered by U.S. courts. He wrote on Twitter: “The travel ban into the United States should be far larger, tougher and more specific-but stupidly, that would not be politically correct!”