France Summons US Ambassador Over Comments on Far-Right Activist's Death
In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced he would summon US Ambassador Charles Kushner over American criticism of France's handling of political violence following the brutal killing of a young French activist.
The controversy centers on the death of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right activist who died from severe head injuries after being attacked by masked assailants in Lyon. French authorities identified the attackers as members of Jeune Garde Antifasciste, a banned far-left extremist group.
International Condemnation Sparks Diplomatic Crisis
The Trump Administration's characterization of the attack as "left-wing terrorism" has ignited a fierce diplomatic row. The US State Department's Bureau of Counter-Terrorism posted on X: "Violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque's death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety."
When the US embassy in France amplified this message, French officials responded with unprecedented diplomatic pressure. "We are summoning the US ambassador to France because the embassy issued a commentary on this event which concerns the national community. We reject any interference in this event," Barrot declared on France Inter radio.
Disturbing Video Evidence Shocks Europe
Phone footage of the fatal incident, showing Deranque being repeatedly kicked and punched by hooded attackers, has sparked widespread outrage across France and beyond. French authorities have arrested 11 people connected to the killing, with two facing murder charges.
This marks the second time Kushner, who is Jewish, has been summoned by French authorities. Previously, he criticized France's "lack of sufficient action" regarding the "dramatic rise of antisemitism" in the country through a Wall Street Journal op-ed.
European Leaders Clash Over Political Violence
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni intensified the international debate, condemning the killing "by groups linked to left-wing extremism" as "a wound for all of Europe." She denounced what she termed a "climate of ideological hatred sweeping several nations."
French President Emmanuel Macron fired back during his official visit to India, telling critics to "stay home" and attacking nationalist leaders who "are always the first to comment on what's happening elsewhere."
Both Macron and Barrot have characterized international commentary as unwanted "interference," with Barrot stating: "We reject any instrumentalization of this tragedy, which has plunged a French family into mourning, for political ends."
The diplomatic crisis highlights growing tensions over political violence and international criticism of domestic security policies across Western democracies.