Armed police officers patrol near London Bridge after the terror attack took place on Saturday night in London, Britain on June 4, 2017. (Xinhua/UK OUT)
WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday doubled down on his criticism of London mayor's reaction after a couple of deadly attacks killed at least seven and injured dozens more.
In one of a series of tweets on Monday morning, Trump bashed London Mayor Sadiq Khan for "pathetic excuse," saying the mayor had to "think fast on his 'no reason to be alarmed' statement."
After the deadly attacks on Saturday, Khan said in an interview with BBC that while the "threat level remains at severe," Londoners need not to be alarmed by an increased police presence in London.
In a move that appeared to mischaracterize Khan's remarks, Trump accused Khan, the first Muslim mayor of London, for his remarks on BBC on twitter.
"At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is 'no reason to be alarmed."
However, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders on Monday said Trump was not "picking a fight with the mayor of London at all."
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday came to Khan's defense, praising him for doing a "good job."
"And it's wrong to say anything else. He's doing a good job," said May, without directly criticizing Trump.
After Trump's attack on Khan on Sunday, Lewis Lukens, the acting U.S. ambassador to the UK, praised Khan on twitter for his "strong leadership" after the attack.
Also, the U.S. Conference of Mayors sent a message of support to Khan and Londoners, praising Khan for his leadership.
"He (Khan) has risen above this crisis of death and destruction, as mayors continue to do, to alleviate fear, to bring comfort to his people and to give support to the first responders who continue to protect, defend and provide emergency care to his people of London," said the statement.
