Global Geo-political Series: UK Home Secretary criticizes Trump over tweets; but hails US/UK relations as key to national security

After President Trump counter punched criticism from the UK Prime Minister’s office over his re-tweets of videos showing Muslims destroying statues of Virgin Marry, beating a teen to death and beating a Dutch man on crutches, UK’s Home Secretary Amber Rudd criticized Trump over the shared videos.

After President Trump retweeted those videos on Tuesday, UK Prime Minister May condemned Trump through her spokesperson James Slack on Wednesday afternoon, who said that it was wrong for the President to have done it. He added, Britain First, which is widely considered by many as an anti-Islam, neo-Nazi group, seeks to divide communities through their use of hateful narratives that stoke tensions.

President Trump, who is a known counter-puncher hit back at the criticism via a tweet to Theresa May saying, .@Theresa_May, don’t focus on me, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom. We are doing just fine!

Speaking in parliament, Ms. Rudd said, “Britain First is an extremist organisation which seeks to divide communities through their use of hateful narratives which spread lies and stoke tensions. British people overwhelmingly reject the prejudiced rhetoric of the far right, which is the antithesis of the values this country represents: decency, tolerance, respect. We will stand with them in doing so. We have been clear: President Donald Trump was wrong to retweet videos posted by far-right group Britain First. When we look at the wider picture, the relationship between the UK and America, I know how valuable the friendship is between our two nations. As home secretary, I can tell the House that the importance of the relationship between our countries, the unparalleled sharing of intelligence between our countries, is vital. That is the bigger picture here and I would urge people to remember that.”

London’s mayor Sadiq Khan, who often gets into a feud with the President criticized him saying that Britain First is an extremist group whose views should be condemned not amplified.

There is a serious risk that the situation could get out of hand with Trump known for his counter punches if the UK continues to criticize the President. Trump could easily highlight the increased Islamic militant attacks in the UK over the past two years.