Trump Under Fire for 'Using' London Attacks to Promote Muslim Travel Ban

Washington: President Donald Trump faced strong criticism on Sunday for arguing in favour of his controversial travel ban hours after twin terror attacks in London.

Trump began tweeting about the incidents an hour or so after initial news reports. First, he retweeted a Drudge Report item about the attacks, then provided his own message about the travel ban.

The tweet prompted criticism from commentators and political observers who accused Trump of “opportunism at London’s expense”.

According to a report in The Guardian, Daniel Drezner, a politics professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, denounced the president as “a cheap hustler occupying an office that you don’t understand”.

John Horgan, a psychologist and terrorist expert at Georgia State University, called Trump the “Opportunist-in-Chief”.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to immediately reinstate its ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries and refugees from anywhere in the world. The administration argues that the U.S. will be safer if the policy is put in place.

In response to the London attacks, the State Department issued a statement condemning them as "cowardly."

"The United States stands ready to provide any assistance authorities in the United Kingdom may request," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

"Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the victims. We wish a full and quick recovery to those injured in the attacks. All Americans stand in solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom," she said.