France Bars US Ambassador Over Comments on Far-Right Activist Killing

France has barred US Ambassador Charles Kushner from government access after he failed to respond to a summons over comments from the Trump administration regarding the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque. The ban will be lifted once Kushner explains his absence. The Lyon case has led to charges against seven suspects, and a recent march honoring Deranque drew around 3,200 participants, highlighting tensions over political violence and foreign interference.

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced on Tuesday that the United States ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, would be denied access to the French government until he provides a clear explanation for failing to respond to a summons from the French Foreign Office. The summons was issued in response to comments made by the administration of US President Donald Trump regarding the killing of French far-right activist Quentin Deranque. Barrot emphasized that diplomatic contact could only be restored once Kushner clarified why he did not attend the scheduled meeting, underlining the expectation that foreign diplomats respect the responsibilities and obligations inherent to their role.
Barrot explained that the decision to bar Kushner was taken “in light of this apparent misunderstanding of the basic expectations of the mission of an ambassador, who has the honor of representing his country.” Speaking to France Info, the minister noted that Kushner’s absence would naturally affect his ability to carry out his mission effectively in France. He added that the situation could be resolved once the ambassador provided the necessary explanations. “When these explanations have taken place, then the US ambassador in France will, naturally, regain access to members of the French government,” Barrot said. He further clarified that Kushner needed to engage in a direct discussion with the Quai d'Orsay, France’s Foreign Ministry, in order to resume the normal exercise of his duties as ambassador.
The controversy arose after the US Embassy in Paris reposted statements from the Trump administration about the killing of Quentin Deranque, who was 23 years old when he was fatally injured during violent clashes between radical-left and far-right supporters at a protest in Lyon on February 12. The protest targeted a politician from the left-wing France Unbowed party. The US State Department’s counterterrorism bureau highlighted Deranque’s death as evidence of a concerning threat from left-wing extremist violence.
In response, Minister Barrot denounced what he described as attempts to exploit Deranque’s killing “for political ends” and insisted that the matter be discussed directly with Kushner. “We must have an explanation with him,” Barrot said. “We don’t accept that foreign countries can come and interfere, invite themselves, into the national political debate. We have no lessons to learn, particularly on the issue of violence, from the international reactionary movement.”
The case in Lyon has also prompted legal proceedings. Seven individuals have been handed preliminary charges related to the violence that resulted in Deranque’s death. The public prosecutor’s office requested that all seven be charged with intentional homicide, aggravated violence, and criminal conspiracy. Six suspects were charged on all three counts, while a seventh was charged with complicity in intentional homicide, aggravated violence, and criminal conspiracy. These developments underline the serious legal and social implications of political violence in France.
Public reaction to Deranque’s death has been significant. On Saturday, approximately 3,200 people, many wearing face masks, took part in a tense march honoring Deranque. The demonstration reflected ongoing political polarization in the country and the sensitivity of international commentary on domestic incidents of violence. Charles Kushner, who is also the father of Jared Kushner, former adviser and son-in-law to President Trump, now faces the challenge of addressing France’s concerns and restoring normal diplomatic relations, demonstrating the delicate nature of diplomacy when foreign statements intersect with national political tensions.