Paris, France – France has escalated its diplomatic protest against the United States, curtailing access for U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner to French government officials following comments made by the Trump administration regarding the death of a far-right activist in Lyon. The move comes after Kushner was formally summoned to the French Foreign Ministry but failed to appear, according to statements released on .
The dispute centers on a statement issued by the State Department’s Counterterrorism Bureau, which expressed concern over the death of Quentin Deranque, a far-right activist who died from brain injuries sustained in a beating during a confrontation in Lyon last week. The State Department’s post on X (formerly Twitter) noted that reports, corroborated by the French Minister of the Interior, indicated Deranque was killed by “left-wing militants.”
French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot reacted strongly to the U.S. Statement, accusing the Trump administration of attempting to instrumentalize the tragedy for political purposes. “We reject any instrumentalization of this tragedy, which has plunged a French family into mourning, for political ends,” Barrot said. He further asserted that France had “no lessons to learn, particularly on the issue of violence, from the international reactionary movement.”
The French government’s decision to limit Kushner’s access effectively bars him from direct engagement with French ministers and senior officials. According to a statement from the foreign ministry, this measure is a direct consequence of Kushner’s failure to comply with the summons. The move signals a significant level of displeasure from Paris, reflecting growing tensions between the two allies.
Deranque’s death occurred during a clash on the fringes of a student meeting featuring Rima Hassan, a far-left lawmaker. The incident has ignited a national debate about political polarization and the rise of extremism in France, particularly as the country prepares for presidential elections next year. Approximately 3,000 people participated in a march in Lyon organized by far-right groups to honor Deranque, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to call for calm on .
The State Department defended its statement, asserting that “violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque’s death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety.” The department indicated it would continue to monitor the situation and called for the perpetrators of the violence to be brought to justice. Seven individuals have been handed preliminary charges, with prosecutors requesting they be charged with intentional homicide, aggravated violence, and criminal conspiracy.
Charles Kushner, a real-estate developer and disbarred attorney, assumed his post as U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco in , following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate. His appointment, secured during Donald Trump’s second term, was met with scrutiny given his past legal troubles. Kushner was convicted in 2005 of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering, serving a two-year prison sentence. He later received a pardon from President Trump in .
Prior to his ambassadorship, Kushner was a significant donor to both Democratic and Republican campaigns, though he became a major supporter of Trump. His son, Jared Kushner, served as a senior advisor to President Trump from 2017 to 2021, and his younger son, Joshua Kushner, is a venture capitalist married to model Karlie Kloss.
The current diplomatic rift underscores the complex relationship between France and the United States, particularly under the Trump administration. While both nations remain key allies, differing perspectives on issues such as extremism, international security, and the role of government have frequently strained ties. The Economist reported that France’s far-left is also grappling with the implications of the activist’s death, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
The French government’s decision to effectively ostracize Ambassador Kushner represents a rare and pointed rebuke of a U.S. Diplomat. Analysts suggest the move is intended to send a clear message to Washington regarding the limits of acceptable commentary on sensitive domestic issues. The situation remains fluid, and further diplomatic repercussions are possible as the investigation into Deranque’s death continues.
