France has revoked direct government access for U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner after he skipped a Monday meeting with the French foreign minister, who wanted the ambassador to answer for the Trump administration’s comments on the fatal beating of a right-wing activist in the European nation.
French officials are upset about comments made by the U.S. Embassy in France and the State Department’s Counterterrorism Bureau regarding the death of Quentin Deranque. The 23-year-old activist died from brain injuries on Feb. 14 after he was beaten during a violent riot in Lyon two days prior.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot directed that Kushner be barred from accessing members of the French government “in light of this apparent misunderstanding of the basic expectations of the mission of an ambassador, who has the honor of representing his country.”
The embassy and bureau both blamed “violent left-wing extremism” for Deranque’s death.
“The information, corroborated by the French Minister of the Interior, according to which Quentin Deranque would have been killed by far-left militants, should concern us all,” the U.S. Embassy of France’s statement read. “Violent left-wing extremism is on the rise, and its role in the death of Quentin Deranque demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety. We will continue to follow the situation and hope that the perpetrators of these acts of violence are brought to justice.”
Kushner is still allowed to perform his diplomatic duties and communicate with certain officials, but he cannot speak with French ministers as long as the ban remains in effect.
France’s foreign ministry, however, does allow room for Kushner to change his mind and attend the summons meeting.
“It remains, of course, possible for Ambassador Charles Kushner to carry out his duties and present himself at the Quai d’Orsay, so that we may hold the diplomatic discussions needed to smooth over the irritants that can inevitably arise in a friendship spanning 250 years,” the ministry said.
This is not the first time Kushner has ignored the French foreign ministry’s request to meet.
Last year, Kushner did not attend a meeting meant to address his critical comments about France’s handling of antisemitism in light of the country’s recognition of a Palestinian state. France denied the “unacceptable” allegations made by Kushner, who is Jewish.
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France rejects the attempts to politicize Deranque’s death as a tragedy deliberately caused by left-wing protesters. The French government is currently investigating the incident as a possible homicide, for which multiple people have been arrested. French President Emmanuel Macron is set to hold a Tuesday meeting with ministers to discuss “violent action groups” following Deranque’s death.
President Donald Trump nominated Kushner, the father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, as U.S. ambassador to France in November 2024. The nominee was later confirmed by the Senate.
