Trump comments on London attack draw rebuke from United Kingdom

Show Caption Hide Caption Trump: London bombing a 'terrible thing' President Donald Trump told reporters Friday morning that he had been briefed on the explosion on a London train that left 22 people injured but no one seriously hurt. Police said the explosion was a terrorist attack, the fifth in Britain this year. (Sept. 15)

WASHINGTON — President Trump set off another spat with the United Kingdom on Friday with tweets that appeared to blame British security for a terrorist attack.

They drew a swift rebuke from Prime Minister Theresa May.

"I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation," May told reporters in London.

During an early-morning tweet barrage, Trump said security officials need to be more aggressive in thwarting terrorists.

"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!" Trump tweeted, implying that British authorities also knew the identity of who planted a bomb on a London subway.

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! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

White House Spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump and May later spoke by phone.

Police in London said an explosive planted by a terrorist blew up on a train as it pulled into a London subway station during rush hour. The blast injured 22 people, but there were no deaths. Police engaged in manhunt for what they described as an isolated incident.

So far, however, no suspects have been identified or whether anyone was involved was being tracked by Scotland Yard, which is similar to the FBI.

"Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner. The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!" Trump said.

Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner.The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

As the tweets gained steam, London police also weighed in, saying in a statement that "any speculation is unhelpful."

Speaking later with reporters in the Rose Garden, Trump called the attack "a terrible thing."

"it keeps going and going, and we have to be very smart and we have to be very, very tough – perhaps we’re not nearly tough enough, he said. "We have to be smarter."

This isn't the first time Trump has triggered a dispute with a British government official over security.

After a June attack in London, Trump misconstrued a statement by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and mocked him for claiming there was "no reason to be alarmed." Khan said he was referring to enhanced police protection in the area following that attack.

At that time, May said that the mayor "is doing a good job and it’s wrong to say anything else. He’s doing a good job."

In his tweet storm on Friday, Trump also called for a tougher travel ban to the United States.

A tweet about the proposed ban on travel to the United States from residents of six mostly Muslim countries — Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen — called for even tougher measures, but said they would not be "politically correct."

The travel ban into the United States should be far larger, tougher and more specific-but stupidly, that would not be politically correct! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

The ban, initially announced on Jan. 27, has been reworked and fought in a variety of federal courts. it will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court when it starts its new term next month.

The court will hear arguments next month in the broader constitutional challenge to the travel ban from states and immigrant rights groups. The current dispute is over which immigrants and refugees can enter in the meantime.

Trump did not specify the tougher measures he had in mind. Also, since authorities in London have not identified who is behind Friday's bombing, it is not known whether that attack had anything to do with residents of the six countries covered by the ban.

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