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British Activist Tommy Robinson Visits US State Department

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British anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, visited the U.S. State Department on Wednesday. Robinson, a prominent figure among British nationalists, met with at least one U.S. official. His visit highlights ongoing U.S. support for "free speech" in regions where conservative voices face challenges.

Details of the Visit

Robinson posted on social media about his visit, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to build alliances in America. The State Department clarified that Robinson's visit was unofficial, as part of a tour. Senior adviser Joe Rittenhouse met with Robinson, praising him as a "free speech warrior."

Photographs shared by Rittenhouse showed Robinson exploring the John Quincy Adams State Drawing Room, known for its historical collections.

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US Criticism of UK Free Speech Limitations

The Trump administration has expressed concerns about free speech in the UK. The State Department's 2024 human rights report criticized the UK for worsening conditions, citing serious restrictions on freedom of expression and threats motivated by antisemitism.

US officials have also engaged with European far-right parties, criticizing regional policies seen as limiting conservative views. The EU's Digital Services Act and Britain's Online Safety Act are among the policies viewed by the US as restrictive.

Background on Robinson

Robinson founded the English Defence League (EDL), known for its anti-Islam demonstrations. In 2013, he was jailed for using a fraudulent passport to enter the US. His visit underscores the Trump administration's stance on supporting free speech activists who feel suppressed abroad.

Efforts to address these issues continue as US officials look to challenge what they perceive as oppressive online regulations.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 25 Feb 2026


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  • Tommy is a top bloke! Kudos to the US State Department for making him welcome.

  • Whatever you think of Robinson (I'm not a huge fan) his work defending free speech and exposing the Pakistani rape gangs that the disgusting UK government are still trying to sweep under the rug, is t

  • brewsterbudgen
    brewsterbudgen

    Not surprising, the current Administration likes criminals!

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Not surprising, the current Administration likes criminals!

  • Popular Post

An absolute disgrace.

How did he get past their entry on criminal record for visas. My uncle was refused for a motoring speeding conviction nearly a decade ago. Yaxley Lennon has a huge criminal record sheet including assault, and fraud.

The days the US is an allay of the UK is long gone.

The have ruined alliances they have been making for centuries. China will clean up and reep the rewards. Even India is now pivoting towards China, unthinkable even a few years ago.

  • Popular Post

Whatever you think of Robinson (I'm not a huge fan) his work defending free speech and exposing the Pakistani rape gangs that the disgusting UK government are still trying to sweep under the rug, is to be applauded.

Tommy is a top bloke! Kudos to the US State Department for making him welcome.

  • Popular Post
1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Not surprising, the current Administration likes criminals!

Much like the previous one then...

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40 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Whatever you think of Robinson (I'm not a huge fan) his work defending free speech and exposing the Pakistani rape gangs that the disgusting UK government are still trying to sweep under the rug, is to be applauded.

The Grooming gangs cases were ghastly. These were bought to light in 2013, the vast majority of offenders locked up, yet they are bought up every year like they are some ongoing incident. These were just a very small minority of all sexual offenses that take place in the UK (yet received more media coverage). The vast majority of sexual offenses in the UK (nearly 91%) are carried out white men. Yet there is very little media coverage. NARRATIVE

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9 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Much like the previous one then...

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I won't disagree with you on that one. But the list of Trump pardons is quite extensive -

List of people granted executive clemency in the second Trump presidency - Wikipedia

Lots of tax evasion, wire fraud, money laundering and drug trafficking in those.

It seems Biden pardoned family whilst Trump pardons 'family'...or people that can pay a lot.

  • Popular Post
1 minute ago, DonniePeverley said:

These were bought to light in 2013, the vasy majority of offensders locked up,

No, a tiny fraction of them were locked up. A token gesture for people like you to point at and say "move on, nothing to see here".

1 minute ago, DonniePeverley said:

yet they are bought up every year like they are some ongoing incident.

They are very much ongoing. There is a cover-up unfolding in London as we speak. No doubt you'll support that as well. 🤢

4 minutes ago, animalmagic said:

It seems Biden pardoned family whilst Trump pardons 'family'...or people that can pay a lot.

In other words Biden's family are criminals whereas Trump is only friends with some.

  • Popular Post
11 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

The Grooming gangs cases were ghastly. These were bought to light in 2013, the vast majority of offenders locked up, yet they are bought up every year like they are some ongoing incident. These were just a very small minority of all sexual offenses that take place in the UK (yet received more media coverage). The vast majority of sexual offenses in the UK (nearly 91%) are carried out white men. Yet there is very little media coverage. NARRATIVE

You keep repeating this “white people” thing.

It seems you really hate them.

Wouldn’t you be happier back in Pakistan?

3 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Pardon me?

Assuming it's only drugs, guns and hookers - Joe should be able to help with that.

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

The Grooming gangs cases were ghastly. These were bought to light in 2013, the vast majority of offenders locked up, yet they are bought up every year like they are some ongoing incident. These were just a very small minority of all sexual offenses that take place in the UK (yet received more media coverage). The vast majority of sexual offenses in the UK (nearly 91%) are carried out white men. Yet there is very little media coverage. NARRATIVE

What they lack in population, they make up for in enthusiasm.

  • Popular Post
1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

An absolute disgrace.

How did he get past their entry on criminal record for visas.

Indeed. He wouldn't need a visa to enter the US, just an ESTA (electronic arrival card in advance). Still, you'd think high-profile radicals with criminal records would be in the ICE international database. He must have been flagged - but some higher up gave an over-ride to allow him in.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

No, a tiny fraction of them were locked up. A token gesture for people like you to point at and say "move on, nothing to see here".

They are very much ongoing. There is a cover-up unfolding in London as we speak. No doubt you'll support that as well. 🤢

Utter nonsense.

Show me your sources for 'tiny fraction' ....

Look who the perpetrators on Epstein Island are. Where's Tommy and his marches for that?

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2 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Utter nonsense.

Show me your sources for 'tiny fraction' ....

50 people were convicted. Do you seriously think that's the majority of offenders over decades of abuse?

2 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Look who the perpetrators on Epstein Island are. Where's Tommy and his marches for that?

Why would Tommy Robinson go after Bill Gates and Bill Clinton? He's British.

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Whatever you think of Robinson (I'm not a huge fan) his work defending free speech and exposing the Pakistani rape gangs that the disgusting UK government are still trying to sweep under the rug, is to be applauded.

You didn't mention his many peado mates in the EDL plus the domestic abusers he knocks about with .

  • Popular Post

So the guy, who fraudulently entered the US with a friend's passport and stayed there illegally, is now welcomed by the Trump administration! 😂

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4 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

His visit highlights ongoing U.S. support for "free speech" in regions where conservative voices face challenges.

I guess he was encouraging US officials to allow ALL free speech in the US, and not only the one that praises the criminal in charge.

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

Indeed. He wouldn't need a visa to enter the US, just an ESTA (electronic arrival card in advance). Still, you'd think high-profile radicals with criminal records would be in the ICE international database. He must have been flagged - but some higher up gave an over-ride to allow him in.

On the ESTA they ask if you have had criminal convictions. He has alot, including issues with a fake passport he used in Canada that saw him get deported.

So are we now saying any criminal can get into USA now with a rap sheet as long as his ?

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

So are we now saying any criminal can get into USA now with a rap sheet as long as his ?

I guess so - as long as your politics are 'right'.

4 hours ago, Black arab said:

You didn't mention his many peado mates in the EDL plus the domestic abusers he knocks about with .

It was called the English and Jewish Defence League - and out Tomeee regularly visits Israel - whilst it was full of knuckle draggers and football hooligans it's probably also part of an Israeli anti-muslim psy-op and designed to pivot the far right away from their natural anti-semitic tendencies and find a new scapegoat.

From 25th July 2011 to 13th June 2014, the English Defence League rebranded themselves to the English & Jewish Defence League.[1] In December 2011, two EDL supporters—one a serving soldier in the British military—were convicted of plotting to bomb a mosque in Stoke-on-Trent

The EDL-Israel connection isn't cynical facade - it's real alliance.

What actually happened:

  1. 2009-2011: EDL founded as anti-Muslim street movement

  2. 2011: Officially rebranded to include "Jewish" in name

  3. 2011-2014: Operating as "English & Jewish Defence League"

  4. 2016-present: Tommy Robinson repeatedly welcomed in Israel

  5. 2025: Israeli government minister officially hosts him

This isn't tokenism or PR - it's genuine far-right international alliance.


Israeli government (under Netanyahu) actively courts far-right:

  • Viktor Orbán (Hungary) - welcomed

  • Jair Bolsonaro (Brazil) - welcomed

  • Matteo Salvini (Italy) - welcomed

  • Tommy Robinson (UK) - welcomed

  • Geert Wilders (Netherlands) - alliance

The logic:

  • "Enemy of my enemy" (they hate Muslims too)

  • Demographic panic (Muslim immigration weakening Israel support)

  • Ethno-nationalist solidarity

  • Anti-Muslim alliance trumps historical anti-Semitism concerns


The Jewish Community Split

British Jews overwhelmingly rejected this:

  • Board of Deputies condemned Robinson visit

  • Jewish Leadership Council called him "thug"

  • Chief Rabbi opposed

  • Jewish Chronicle attacked the alliance

  • Multiple resignations from Jabotinsky Institute

But Israeli right-wing government welcomed him:

  • Official ministerial invitation

  • Government paid expenses

  • Knesset meetings

  • Public platform

This reveals deep split:

  • Diaspora Jews: "This endangers us"

  • Israeli right-wing: "We need these allies"


The Bitter Irony

What you've exposed:

  • Far-right organization literally called itself "Jewish Defence League"

  • Led by convicted criminal

  • Welcomed by Israeli government

  • But Green Party led by actual Jew = "anti-Semitic"

The logic:

  • Far-right that hates Muslims + waves Israeli flag = acceptable

  • Jewish leader criticizing Israeli government policy = anti-Semitic

  • Popular Post
7 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Whatever you think of Robinson (I'm not a huge fan) his work defending free speech and exposing the Pakistani rape gangs that the disgusting UK government are still trying to sweep under the rug, is to be applauded.

Yaxley Lennon did not expose any Rape Gangs.

5 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

On the ESTA they ask if you have had criminal convictions. He has alot, including issues with a fake passport he used in Canada that saw him get deported.

So are we now saying any criminal can get into USA now with a rap sheet as long as his ?

He entered the US illegally.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9785724/EDL-leader-jailed-for-being-illegal-immigrant-after-entering-US-on-friends-passport.html

19 hours ago, candide said:

So the guy, who fraudulently entered the US with a friend's passport and stayed there illegally, is now welcomed by the Trump administration! 😂

I am sure there are a few members who will see this as some sort of validation of their opinion while others will see it as reflecting the true state of the union.

22 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

An absolute disgrace.

How did he get past their entry on criminal record for visas. My uncle was refused for a motoring speeding conviction nearly a decade ago. Yaxley Lennon has a huge criminal record sheet including assault, and fraud.

The days the US is an allay of the UK is long gone.

The have ruined alliances they have been making for centuries. China will clean up and reep the rewards. Even India is now pivoting towards China, unthinkable even a few years ago.


No he wasn't. Minor moving violations are NOT a reason to refuse a visa unless, its a felony.

19 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

On the ESTA they ask if you have had criminal convictions. He has alot, including issues with a fake passport he used in Canada that saw him get deported.

So are we now saying any criminal can get into USA now with a rap sheet as long as his ?

Incorrect. He never used a fake passport in Canada.

15 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Yaxley Lennon did not expose any Rape Gangs.

Rubbish. As an investigative journalist, he has made a series of documentaries exposing them. Google 'The Rape of Britain'. In them you can see him confronting and exposing numerous muslims with accusations they had been involved in rape gangs. Funnily enough, they never sued him for libel.

14 minutes ago, Slowhand225 said:


No he wasn't. Minor moving violations are NOT a reason to refuse a visa unless, its a felony.

Nearly a decade ago, using the I-94W visa-waiver system, I was almost denied entry to the US due to a single DUI, subsequently discharged, that was still on my record. A first DUI is considered a class-A misdemeanor in Texas, not a felony. After 20 minutes of faffing about, I had to politely advise the overweight and overbearing immigration cop that a misdemeanor is not a "crime of moral turpitude" which was what she had circled on my green immigration card. "Get out of here" was her response as she tossed my passport and card back across the desk at me.

I understand that crossing the US border legally is a lot more difficult now.

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