U. S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Sweden experienced an immigration-related security incident prompted a baffled response from the Scandinavian country…
STOCKHOLM/WASHINGTON —
U. S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Sweden experienced an immigration-related security incident prompted a baffled response from the Scandinavian country on Sunday as diplomats asked for an explanation and citizens responded with amusement.
Trump, who in his first weeks in office has tried to sharply tighten U. S. borders on national security grounds, cited Sweden as a country that had experienced problems with immigrants in remarks at a rally on Saturday.
“You look at what’s happening last night in Sweden,” Trump said. “Sweden. Who would believe this? Sweden. They took in large numbers. They’re having problems like they never thought possible.”
That appeared to confuse the Swedish government, which asked the U. S. State Department to explain what the new president meant.
“We are trying to get clarity,” Swedish Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Catarina Axelsson said.
The State Department said it did not comment on diplomatic communications.
Trump has been widely criticized for making assertions with little supporting evidence.
