Marco Rubio addressed rumors that President Trump would help Andrew and Tristan Tate fight extradition to the United Kingdom, where they are facing charges.
The Secretary of State said that there was ‘no role’ for the administration to play in the Tates’ case while speaking to reporters in the Philippines Wednesday.
‘I don’t know the details of this particular case. I’ve been overseas, but I mean, I know who you’re talking about. I just don’t know the details of it,’ Rubio said.
‘These cases have a process that they go through in the courts. My understanding is that they’re involved in that judicial process, and so that’ll play itself out at this point.
‘And there’s no role for us to play at this moment, or maybe ever in that regard, but I’m not going to opine on that.’
The Tate brothers were arrested at a bare-knuckle boxing event in Miami on Saturday at the request of British detectives over charges of rape, sex trafficking and indecent images of a child.
The arrests sparked speculation that Trump might intervene on their behalf as the brothers have claimed to have close ties to the President and his family.
While Rubio said there was no role for the State Department at this stage, he could ultimately make the final decision on extradition if a Florida court determines the UK’s request meets the legal requirements.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Pictured) addressed reporters on Wednesday in the Philippines while meeting with foreign ministers from the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, regarding rumors of whether President Trump would intervene in the extradition of the Tate Brothers
The British government is seeking extradition of Tristian Tate, left, and his brother Andrew on charges including rape and sex trafficking. They have both denied any wrongdoing
‘There’s no role for us to play at this moment, or maybe ever in that regard, but I’m not going to opine on that,’ said Rubio on Wednesday
The Tates’ lawyer Joseph McBride suggested that Trump could intervene, claiming the President ‘was elected to fight against this kind of nonsense’ and the Tates had supporters ‘all the way to DC.’
McBride called the UK ‘a fallen state that prosecutes its citizens for free speech.’
Rubio’s statements come shortly after a US official told the Daily Telegraph: ‘The White House has no involvement and no feelings on the issue.’
The British government said it was seeking the extradition of the dual US-UK citizens in relation to an original 21 charges as well as other new allegations involving four women between July 2010 and August 2017.
The brothers deny all wrongdoing and claim that they are the victims of a political witch hunt, a parting shot by outgoing prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Andrew Tate has been charged with seven further counts of rape, three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and 19 additional charges relating to indecent images of a child and extreme pornography.
Tristan Tate has been charged with one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Andrew and Tristan were arrested at a bare-knuckle boxing event in Miami on Saturday at the request of British detectives over charges of rape, sex trafficking and indecent images of a child
The Tate brothers appeared before US Magistrate Lauren Louis at a procedural hearing at federal court in Miami, Florida, on Monday
Joseph McBride (Pictured centered), lead counsel for Andrew and Tristan, speaks with reporters outside of the C Clyde Atkins United States Courthouse in Miami, Florida, on Monday
Many speculated that Trump, who is pictured boarding Air Force One en route to Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday, may intervene on the Tate brother’s behalf as they claimed to have close ties to the President
The brothers’ lawyers will apply for their release at a hearing on July 27, when a magistrate will decide whether they stay behind bars during the extradition fight.
The Daily Mail revealed last week prior to their arrest that the Tates had met with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill and been hosted at a party by Trump envoy Paolo Zampolli.
The brothers are star figures in the so-called manosphere, preaching misogynist and chauvinist views to legions of fans, many of them teenage boys.
As well as the UK, the pair are accused of wrongdoing in the US and Romania.
The brothers sued an accuser for defamation in Florida.
They also remain under investigation in Romania over claims they coerced women into pornography, an unresolved case that carries rape and sexual assault allegations.
The pair have not set foot in the UK since Romania lifted a travel ban last year.
They touched down in Florida in February last year, weeks after a senior Trump official reportedly raised their case with Romanian officials.
Asked at the time if his administration had leaned on Bucharest to free them, the President said: ‘I know nothing about that.’
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