Trump cites 1,000 arrests as he warns France to expel migrants
The U.S. president linked student unrest to immigration issues during a campaign stop in Texas, renewing a decade-old critique of his French counterpart.
By Luka Evans ·
President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday night, arguing that France risks losing its identity if it fails to address immigration. Trump made the comments during a campaign rally in Texas, a stop designed to mobilize Republican voters ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for next week.
The U.S. president stated that the unrest sweeping France stems from immigration rather than educational issues. He said he has conveyed this message to Macron for a long time and expressed a personal fondness for the French leader. Trump claimed he warned Macron that France would end up losing its country if it did not take action on the issue.
Protests in France have expanded beyond student demonstrations to include clashes over local grievances. The movement has spread across Europe, prompting Trump to describe the situation as very sad. He reiterated that something must happen and that France should act on the matter, noting that he has voiced these concerns for 10 years.
Trump discussed France's immigration challenges with U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner earlier this week. He told Fox News Digital that the two spoke about people in France who dislike the country's buildings, art, and people. Trump argued that these individuals must be removed from the country to resolve the tensions.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that nearly 1,000 people were arrested on Saturday as nationwide protests resumed. Macron accused ultra-left groups of leading the demonstrations with the aim of bringing down the Republic. He stated that protest groups without legitimate authority would be banned and that those who loot or damage property would be forced to pay.
Macron deployed tens of thousands of police officers to maintain order. He recently described comments from foreign leaders as unacceptable and even stupid, calling them false claims made for political gain. Although he did not name Trump or Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, both the U.S. and Israel are currently navigating high-stakes election cycles.
Violence related to the protests also emerged in Rome and Tirana, Albania, where demonstrators set government buildings on fire. A Fox News Digital investigation identified 50 Antifa groups among nearly 300 groups mobilizing around the protests. Macron's office was reached for comment but had not responded as of Tuesday night.
