UK far-right activist Tommy Robinson talks up US State Department visit
Al Jazeera
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Tommy Robinson, a controversial British far-right activist known for his anti-Muslim rhetoric and organizing large-scale anti-migrant protests, recently visited the U.S. State Department during a trip to Washington, D.C. Despite his notoriety in the UK for promoting hatred against minorities, Robinson was welcomed by officials, including Joe Rittenhouse, a senior advisor at the State Department’s Consular Affairs bureau, who praised him as a “free speech warrior.” Robinson shared photos of his visit on social media, showing him touring the State Department and meeting with figures like far-right influencer Jack Posobiec and Republican Congressman Randy Fine.
The timing of Robinson’s visit coincides with growing support from former President Donald Trump’s administration for far-right activists in the UK and Europe under the guise of defending free speech. This aligns with broader U.S. efforts to promote an agenda that often clashes with European policies on immigration, cultural diversity, and hate speech regulation. While the State Department did not provide details about the meetings’ objectives or other attendees, Robinson’s visit highlights a transatlantic trend of far-right figures
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/26/2026