The Trump administration has sharply criticized the United Kingdom’s human rights record, claiming the country has gotten worse over the past year. This accusation comes from the annual US State Department human rights report, with Vice President JD Vance personally repeating these claims while visiting the UK for high-level meetings and a personal vacation.
The main accusation from the administration is that the UK has placed “serious restrictions” on free speech and has seen an increase in antisemitic violence. The State Department report, which reviews human rights conditions around the world, highlighted two specific concerns in the United Kingdom. According to The Guardian, Vice President JD Vance has been a leading figure in these criticisms.
Speaking at the Munich security conference in February, Vance claimed that the “basic freedoms of religious Britons, especially” were in danger and that the UK, a close US ally, seemed to be experiencing a “decline in rights of conscience.” The human rights report itself has been controversial. Under the Trump administration, the report, once seen as the most detailed study of its kind, has been heavily edited and made shorter. Notably, sections about government corruption and LGBTQ+ rights have been reduced.
US is talking about human rights to UK is like the pot calling the kettle black
The report criticized the creation of “safe access zones” around abortion clinics. The report argues these zones could ban attempts to influence people, even including silent prayer or protest. This criticism matches a case previously mentioned by Vice President Vance involving a former military member, Adam Smith-Connor, who was found guilty in 2022 for silently praying inside one of these zones in Bournemouth.
The report also claims that UK officials have repeatedly acted to “discourage speech” online, especially after the 2024 Southport attack. This criticism was not limited to the UK, as Germany and France were also called out for their rules on online hate speech.
JD Vance: free speech is under threat in the UK
— Joe Hardy
Also JD Vance: I just sent the police round to every house near the place I'm staying on holiday in the UK to demand the names and social media accounts of all residents. How dare they tell me to fuck off.
#RightToLove
(@BlokeOnWheels) August 13, 2025
In response to the report, a UK government spokesperson said free speech is vital for democracy and that the country is proud to protect these freedoms while also keeping citizens safe. The report did admit that the UK government “effectively” enforces laws about freedom of assembly and workers’ rights and sometimes takes real steps to punish officials for wrongdoing, though it noted these punishments were not always consistent.
Donald Trump has been nice to an El Salvadorian president who has locked people up who may be affiliated with gangs. The president has even sent our own immigrants against court orders.
Additionally, the report shows a pattern of picking and choosing its targets. While increasing its criticism of countries seen as opponents, like Brazil and South Africa, it noticeably goes easier on US allies. Both Israel and El Salvador are among the countries that received less harsh evaluations.
This uneven focus has caused tension within the State Department, with the report’s release being delayed for months due to reported disagreements over its content. This approach suggests a shift away from applying human rights standards equally, instead favoring a more politically driven review of friends and enemies worldwide.
