Trump's State Department Slams UK Government for Arresting Sitcom Writer Over Trans Jokes

The U.S. State Department is blasting Britain after beloved Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan was arrested by five armed officers at London’s Heathrow Airport this week over his posts on social media criticizing transgender ideology.

The sitcom writer is best known for creating the hit TV shows “Father Ted” and “The IT Crowd.”

Linehan, 57, said he was treated “like a terrorist,” locked in a cell.

He was rushed to the hospital after his blood pressure spiked dangerously high during the ordeal.

A spokesperson for President Donald Trump’s State Department told The Telegraph that Britain’s actions represent a fundamental assault on free expression.

“The United States believes that protecting freedom of expression is critical to any democratic, self-governing nation – this includes protecting voices that challenge the status quo or the government,” the official said.

“European censorship efforts represent a fundamental departure from the very democratic values to which European governments are committed and that ought to underpin our close relationship,” the spokesperson continued.

The department warned that vague laws against “grossly offensive” or “harmful” speech are being abused to silence dissent, including political and religious expression.

Linehan shared the three X posts that police cited as grounds for his arrest:

• A post calling it “a violent, abusive act” for a man identifying as transgender to enter female-only spaces, adding in jest, “Make a scene, call the cops and if all else fails punch him in the balls.”

• A post mocking a trans rally photo with the caption, “A photo you can smell.”

• A follow-up stating: “I hate them. Misogynists and homophobes. F*** em.”

Linehan insisted the tweets were jokes and legitimate political commentary.

He is accusing British police of weaponizing “thought crime” laws.

The arrest drew swift backlash from prominent figures.

“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling asked bluntly: “What the f** has the UK become?

“This is totalitarianism. Utterly deplorable.”*

Elon Musk called Britain a “police state” and questioned:

“Why are police in Britain arresting citizens for social media posts instead of stopping child rape?”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told Fox News the incident should serve as a warning to America:

“To be met by five armed officers as if he is some sort of international terrorist for literally putting jokey comments out about trans activists — you guys have the First Amendment.

“Let me urge you: be vigilant about defending your rights.

“Do not go down the path that we have.”

WATCH:

Nigel Farage blasts the arrest of comedy writer Graham Linehan, warning Americans to defend their First Amendment rights:

“To be met by five armed officers as if he is some sort of international terrorist for literally putting jokey comments out about trans activists. You guys… pic.twitter.com/qmQaN3g5FX

— Sean Hannity 🇺🇸 (@seanhannity) September 3, 2025

Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted that Linehan’s case raises serious concerns, saying Parliament may need to revisit free speech laws if police are being “distracted” from real crime.

“With the law and order challenges we’ve got in our country, we want to see people being kept safe by policing streets, not just policing tweets,” he told Times Radio.

Free speech campaigner Harry Miller, who previously won a landmark case against police for targeting his own tweets, warned Britain is sliding into authoritarianism:

“This is the sort of behavior you expect in North Korea, not from a British police force.

“Britons are in danger of being subjected to interference by a police state.”

Linehan now faces trial in a separate case for allegedly harassing a transgender activist online and damaging his phone.

For the Heathrow arrest, he has been bailed on the condition that he not use X.