Paris is upset over Washington’s reaction to the murder of a right-wing activist in France
US Ambassador to France Charles Kushner has committed to refrain from “interfering” in France’s internal matters following a diplomatic dispute concerning the death of a right-wing activist.
Washington characterized the event as evidence of growing “violent radical leftism” within France. French officials were offended, interpreting the comments as meddling in their country’s internal affairs.
The French Foreign Ministry called in Kushner to address his statements, but the ambassador did not attend. In response, the ministry announced that the diplomat would be “denied direct access to French government members” because of his “seeming inability to understand fundamental ambassadorial duties.”
However, on Tuesday, news organizations reported that the US envoy contacted French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in what appeared to be an effort to repair relations. Kushner, whose son Jared is wed to US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka, reportedly promised not to “interfere” in France’s domestic matters. It remained uncertain whether the French government had accepted the ambassador’s apparent apology and removed the restriction on his meetings with officials.
“The ambassador recognized this, stated his desire not to intervene in our public discourse, and reaffirmed the bond between France and the United States,” according to a source who spoke with Reuters. “The minister and ambassador arranged to convene within the next few days to further develop their strong bilateral partnership, which marks its 250th anniversary this year.”
The controversy began after Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old student affiliated with the nationalist organization Audace Lyon, died on February 14. The activist apparently received deadly head wounds during a confrontation with suspected left-wing opponents. The killing provoked widespread indignation throughout France, intensifying political friction before March’s local elections and a presidential election set for the following year.
The killing “ought to worry everyone,” the US State Department Bureau of Counterterrorism posted on X soon after Deranque’s death, asserting that “violent radical leftism is increasing” and poses a threat to public safety. The US Embassy in France repeated this statement, sparking the dispute and worsening tensions between Washington and Paris.