Sadiq Khan Condemns Trump’s “Bigoted” Claims on Sharia Law

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has strongly rejected comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump during a recent address at the U.N. General Assembly. Trump claimed that London was on the path to adopting “sharia law” and criticized Khan’s leadership, calling him a “terrible mayor.” Khan’s office described these remarks as “bigoted” and unfounded.

Trump’s Remarks and Their Context

During his speech, Trump stated, “Now they want to go to sharia law,” without clarifying whom he referred to as “they.” His assertion echoed longstanding far-right conspiracy theories linking Khan, the first Muslim elected as mayor of London, to Islamic extremism. There is no evidence to support Trump’s claim that Khan has advocated for the adoption of sharia law in London, a system of religious laws not recognized by the U.K. government.

A spokesperson for Khan told CBS News, “We are not going to dignify his appalling and bigoted comments with a response. London is the greatest city in the world, safer than major U.S. cities, and we’re delighted to welcome the record number of U.S. citizens moving here.” The spokesperson emphasized that Khan’s administration focuses on improving the city, not imposing religious laws.

Political Backlash and Support for Khan

In response to Trump’s comments, several British politicians came to Khan’s defense. Wes Streeting, the U.K. Health Secretary and a member of Prime Minister Keir Starmer‘s government, stated on X that Khan is not attempting to impose sharia law in London. He praised Khan for being an inclusive leader focused on transport, air quality, and public safety.

This latest exchange is part of a long-standing tension between Khan and Trump that dates back to 2015. At that time, Khan condemned Trump’s call for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.” Trump later implemented travel restrictions targeting several predominantly Muslim countries.

Trump has been vocal about his opinions on London’s crime rates, claiming they have surged under Khan’s stewardship. Despite these assertions, statistics from the U.K. Office for National Statistics indicate that overall recorded crime in London has increased by 31.5% over the past decade, with violent crime rising by 40%. However, data from the Metropolitan Police reveals that London had a homicide rate of 11.8 per million people in 2024, which is lower than that of several major U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C.

Khan has served as mayor since May 2016 and continues to focus on addressing urban issues while facing ongoing criticism from Trump. The recent remarks have reignited discussions about the dynamics of leadership and immigration policies in both the U.S. and the U.K.

The White House has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding Trump’s statements. The political discourse surrounding these events highlights the complex relationship between national leaders and the challenges of addressing community safety and inclusivity.