Influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan were arrested in Miami on Saturday on new sex abuse charges, prompting their lawyers to claim that former President Donald Trump will intervene to prevent their extradition to the United Kingdom.
US marshals took the brothers into custody outside a convention center in Miami, moments before Andrew Tate was scheduled to host a bare-knuckle boxing event. The arrests were made on behalf of British police. The brothers face 38 new charges in the UK, which are in addition to 21 existing charges related to alleged sexual offenses between 2010 and 2017. They also face legal proceedings in Romania, where they own a home.
Andrew Tate's lawyer, Joseph McBride, stated that the brothers believe Trump will halt the extradition, citing Trump's alleged opposition to "political persecution and communism." McBride described the UK as a "corrupt and fallen nation" and characterized the arrest as a "political hit" by a "dying empire" that fears the Tates. He further suggested the extradition demand was an attempt to "kidnap Andrew and Tristan through paperwork."
McBride also suggested the arrest was the result of a bureaucratic error, claiming a "low-level functionary at the Department of Justice" approved it without leadership approval. He expressed confidence that a judge would see the facts and that the Department of Justice would address the "abuse of its own authority," leading to the brothers' release.
If the extradition request is approved, the Tates would be sent to Britain for trial. It is understood that the UK extradition request will take precedence over any proceedings in Romania.
Bedfordshire Police initially secured European arrest warrants for the brothers in 2024. The case has been under development for years, with detectives investigating additional claims. Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer, faces seven counts of rape, three counts of facilitating sexual exploitation, three counts of assault, and 19 offenses related to child abuse imagery and extreme pornography. Tristan Tate is charged with one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape, and three counts of facilitating sexual exploitation.
The brothers have previously denied all allegations against them. A lawyer representing four alleged victims urged the courts to act swiftly to ensure justice.
