France will summon US Ambassador Charles Kushner after Washington’s comments on a French activist’s death, escalating France-US diplomatic tensions.
France-US relations face strain as France summons US ambassador over controversial remarks on activist’s death, highlighting rising diplomatic friction between the countries.
France-US Diplomatic Alert: The US ambassador to Paris, France, has been summoned by the French government to respond to statements made by American officials about the killing of a French far-right activist. This action shows that diplomatic relations between the two countries, which have been allies for many years, have become more strained.
Charles Kushner is the current US ambassador to France and Monaco, appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the US Senate in 2025. Before his diplomatic role, Kushner was a real estate developer and is also known as the father of Jared Kushner, a former senior adviser in the Trump White House.
Deranque, 23, died from brain injuries after being beaten during a confrontation with alleged hard‑left activists. The death has sparked protests and significant political debate across France. The US State Department publicly commented on the incident, which caused Paris to view these statements as interference in its national affairs.
French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot said he would summon Kushner after comments from the US State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism regarding the killing of far‑right activist Quentin Deranque in Lyon. The US remarks warned that "violent radical leftism" appears to be on the rise because Paris deemed this description as unsuitable, and it brought political bias to a French internal disaster.
Barrot intends to discuss two issues: European judges who face US sanctions during their legal duties and judicial matters that France believes protect EU member states. The dispute exists as an additional element that creates tension beyond the protest over activist comments.
France’s decision to summon the US ambassador underscores how sensitive international commentary can inflame diplomatic relations, especially amid politically charged domestic events. The situation will be closely watched by both nations.
