Paris – The French government has moved to significantly restrict the access of U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner to government ministers, following his failure to attend a scheduled meeting with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The diplomatic dispute stems from comments made by the U.S. Embassy in Paris regarding the death of a French far-right activist, Quentin Deranque, .
Kushner, the father of Jared Kushner, senior advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump, was summoned to meet Barrot on to explain the embassy’s reposting of a statement from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism. The statement, originally issued by the Trump administration, warned of a “rise” in “violent radical leftism” in France and linked it to Deranque’s death.
According to diplomatic sources, Kushner did not appear at the meeting, citing “personal commitments.” Instead, he sent a senior official from the embassy in his place. This decision prompted a strong rebuke from the French Foreign Ministry, which accused Kushner of demonstrating “an apparent failure to grasp the basic requirements of the ambassadorial mission.”
The ministry announced that Barrot has requested Kushner “no longer be allowed direct access to members of the French government.” However, the statement clarified that Kushner would still be permitted to carry out his diplomatic duties and engage in “exchanges” with foreign ministry officials, allowing for continued, albeit limited, communication.
The incident marks the second time Kushner has failed to attend a scheduled meeting with the French Foreign Ministry. , he also did not attend a meeting after writing an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron criticizing the government’s response to antisemitism in France.
Deranque, a 23-year-old mathematics student, died from head injuries after a violent clash between far-right and radical-left groups in Lyon. Six individuals have been charged in connection with his death, and a parliamentary assistant to a member of the leftwing France Unbowed (LFI) party has been charged with complicity. The case has ignited political tensions within France and drawn international attention.
The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism stated it was monitoring the situation and called for those responsible for Deranque’s death to be brought to justice. The U.S. Embassy in Paris subsequently translated and reposted the bureau’s statement on social media, triggering the diplomatic row.
French Foreign Minister Barrot strongly condemned any attempt to exploit Deranque’s death for political purposes. “We reject any instrumentalisation of this tragedy, which has plunged a French family into mourning, for political ends,” he said. He added, “We have no lessons to learn, particularly on the issue of violence, from the international reactionary movement.”
The dispute also comes amid broader tensions between France and Italy, after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commented on the Deranque case, prompting criticism from President Macron.
Kushner’s appointment as ambassador to France last year raised eyebrows given his past legal troubles. In , he pleaded guilty to 16 counts of tax evasion, making false statements, and witness tampering. The charges included allegations that he hired a sex worker to seduce his brother-in-law, who was a witness against him in the case. He served 14 months in prison before receiving a pardon from President Trump in . Following the pardon, Kushner reportedly donated $1 million to Trump’s Make America Great Again Inc Super Pac.
The French government’s decision to limit Kushner’s access underscores the sensitivity surrounding the case and the importance France places on maintaining control over its domestic narrative. The incident highlights the potential for diplomatic friction arising from differing perspectives on political violence and the role of external actors in commenting on internal affairs. The move signals a clear message from Paris regarding expectations of diplomatic conduct and respect for national sovereignty.
