Influencers Andrew, Tristan Tate’s Lawyer Denounces U.S. Arrest After UK Files Fresh Rap£, Traff!cking Charges
Influencers Andrew, Tristan Tate’s Lawyer Denounces U.S. Arrest After UK Files Fresh Rape, Trafficking Charges
He alleged that British prosecutors had launched “a political hit” rather than a legitimate criminal prosecution.
Joseph D. McBride, the United States-based lawyer representing controversial social media personalities Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate, has condemned his clients’ arrest.
He described the brothers’ arrest in Miami on a United Kingdom extradition request as a politically motivated operation, alleging that British authorities and elements within the U.S. Department of Justice coordinated what he called an abuse of legal process.
In a statement issued on Saturday following the brothers’ arrest by the U.S. Marshals Service, McBride insisted that Andrew and Tristan Tate were innocent and accused the UK of violating an existing understanding with Romanian authorities by pursuing extradition while criminal proceedings against the brothers remain pending in Romania.
“The world knows Andrew and Tristan Tate are innocent. Their enemies know it best of all. That is exactly why they have been attacked,” McBride said.
He alleged that British prosecutors had launched “a political hit” rather than a legitimate criminal prosecution.
“Last night, the United Kingdom… conjured up a wave of charges against the Tate brothers. This is not law enforcement. This is a political hit ordered by a dying empire that fears two free men with a microphone more than it fears actual criminals walking its streets,” he stated.
According to McBride, Britain had breached a long-standing understanding with Romania by requesting the brothers’ extradition while Romanian criminal proceedings were still ongoing.
“There is a long-standing agreement between the UK and Romanian governments that the UK would not seek extradition while the Romanian proceedings are pending,” he claimed.
“The UK shredded its own word the moment it became useful to shred it.”
The lawyer further alleged that the timing of the arrests was connected to a defamation lawsuit involving the Tate brothers pending in Palm Beach, Florida.
“For years, I have been litigating a defamation lawsuit in Palm Beach, Florida, that has absolutely destroyed the baseless allegations against the Tate brothers… That case goes to trial within six months,” McBride said.
He claimed British authorities feared the outcome of that litigation and were attempting to secure the brothers’ extradition before an American jury could hear the matter.
“This extradition demand has one purpose: to kidnap Andrew and Tristan through paperwork before an American jury exposes the truth to the entire world,” he alleged.
McBride also alleged, without providing evidence, that the arrests were approved by a junior official within the U.S. Department of Justice rather than senior leadership.
“Our understanding is that this arrest was greenlighted by a low-level functionary at the Department of Justice who never got approval from leadership.”
He expressed confidence that the arrests would eventually be overturned.
“We are confident that once a competent judge sees the facts, and once the Department of Justice confronts this egregious abuse of its own authority, Andrew and Tristan Tate will walk free.”
“America does not do Britain’s political dirty work. Not here. Never.”
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The Tate brothers were arrested in Miami on Saturday after British authorities activated an extradition request through U.S. authorities. A spokesperson for the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed the arrests but said the warrant remained sealed.
British prosecutors subsequently announced a fresh set of criminal charges against both men.
According to the UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), social media influencer, Andrew Tate, 39, has been charged with seven additional counts of rape, three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and 19 further offences relating to indecent images of a child and extreme pornography.
His brother, Tristan Tate, 38, faces one count of sexual assault, two additional counts of rape and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation.
The CPS said the new allegations relate to incidents alleged to have occurred between July 2010 and August 2017 and increase the total number of alleged victims in the British case to seven.
“We have decided to prosecute Andrew and Tristan Tate for further offences including rape, arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation and offences relating to indecent images of a child,” Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said.
Bedfordshire Police said the latest indictment brings the total number of criminal charges against the brothers in the UK to 59.
According to police, Andrew Tate now faces 42 charges, while Tristan Tate faces 17.
Those are in addition to an earlier prosecution already pending in the UK, in which Andrew Tate faces 10 counts involving rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution for gain and assault-related offences connected to three alleged victims. Tristan Tate faces 11 charges relating to rape, human trafficking and assault involving one alleged victim.
The brothers have consistently denied all allegations.
Apart from the British cases, Andrew and Tristan Tate also remain defendants in Romania, where they were arrested in December 2022 and are facing charges of rape, human trafficking and forming an organised criminal group. Romanian prosecutors have accused them of exploiting women through coercion and trafficking, allegations both brothers have repeatedly denied.
The latest arrest means the brothers now face extradition proceedings in the United States while legal battles continue simultaneously in the UK, Romania and American civil courts.
