By politicizing terror, Trump picked the wrong approach to global crisis

After last weekend’s attack in London, President Trump decided to criticize London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Twitter, and use the tragic event for his own political agenda. Most world leaders expressed sorrow, support and sympathy for the United Kingdom as they condemned the attacks. Trump, on the other hand, tried to use it as leverage for his keystone election promise: the “travel ban.”

The president was heavily criticized for mischaracterizing Mayor Khan’s remarks on Twitter, saying that, “At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is ‘no reason to be alarmed!’” Mayor Khan’s actual remarks did not refer to the actual terror attack, and instead to the increased police presence in London.

At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is “no reason to be alarmed!”

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017

Khan’s office responded with the statement: The mayor had “more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump’s ill-informed tweet.”

When tragic events occur, it is often difficult for world leaders and prominent figures to craft a perfect, non-clichéd response that makes everyone happy.

However, instead of letting the dust settle, President Trump chose to continue the argument, tweeting: “Pathetic excuse by London Mayor Sadiq Khan who had to think fast on his ‘no reason to be alarmed’ statement.”

Pathetic excuse by London Mayor Sadiq Khan who had to think fast on his “no reason to be alarmed” statement. MSM is working hard to sell it!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2017

Trump also used the horrific incident to attack political correctness as it pertained to his “travel ban,” tweeting that “We must stop being politically correct and get down to the business of security for our people. If we don’t get smart it will only get worse.”

Trump’s first tweet after the attack was more sympathetic, saying: “Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the U. K., we will be there – WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!”

Unfortunately, this side of President Trump is both rarely seen and bogged down by his unnecessary and often inappropriate tweets. After this attack in London, Trump’s publicizing and sensationalizing the threat of terrorism is becoming more apparent.

Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the U.K., we will be there – WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2017

Instead of using this political attention and news cycle to promote unity between the world’s religions or propose and promote effective anti-terrorism policies, Trump decided to blatantly mischaracterize this terror attack to advance his domestic political agenda and broadly target the religion of Islam.

This is certainly not the only time that Donald Trump has mixed political aims and the fight against terrorism. Trump has threatened “sanctuary cities,” which limit local cooperation with immigration authorities, by insisting he will cut off federal funding. New York City, for instance, would lose $190 million in Homeland Security funding.

{mosads}Brooklyn Councilman Stephen Levin had this to say about the potential loss of funds: “I just want [to] make it clear…that the potential impact to New York City could be very, very devastating when it comes to counterterrorism funds. It would make New Yorkers less safe, it would make Americans less safe. We attract people from all over the world to this city.”

Instead of constructing and lobbying for effective immigration and anti-radicalization policies, President Trump continues to take the route of punishing and blaming individual Muslims and Islam as a whole, which directly contributes to the schism that serves the cause of ISIS and Al Qaeda.

I, like all Americans should, want Donald Trump to succeed in addressing the threat of terrorism. He has already shown his ability to negotiate defense deals that benefit our security and the American people, specifically, on his recent trip to the Middle East.

However, in terrorists’ minds, the goal of their attacks in major Western cities is to create fear and divide people. Unfortunately, Trump’s rhetoric is only helping that mission.

His specific refutation of Mayor Khan’s comments does not show a desire to heal and unify. The divisiveness he displays instead makes us weaker in the face of terrorism, not stronger.

Douglas E. Schoen (@DouglasESchoen) served as a pollster for President Bill Clinton. A longtime political consultant and pollster, he is also a Fox News contributor and the author of 11 books. His latest book is Putin’s Master Plan: To Destroy Europe, Divide NATO, and Restore Russian Power and Global Influence (Encounter, 2016).

The views expressed by contributors are their own and are not the views of The Hill.