France has reportedly banned U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner from direct access to government ministers after he failed to attend a meeting summoned by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The diplomatic incident stems from comments made by the Trump administration about the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque.
According to reports, Deranque, 23, died from head injuries following clashes between radical-left and far-right supporters during a February 12 protest in Lyon against a politician from the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party. The U.S. embassy in Paris had reposted comments from the Trump administration in Washington about Deranque's death, prompting Barrot to summon Ambassador Kushner for discussions.
should concern us all
The French foreign ministry stated that Kushner would still be permitted to continue his diplomatic duties and have exchanges with officials, but would no longer have direct access to government members. This marks the second time Kushner has failed to show up for a summons, having previously missed a meeting in August over allegations about France's handling of antisemitism.
The U.S. State Department's Counterterrorism Bureau had posted on social media that reports 'corroborated by the French Minister of the Interior' about Deranque being killed by left-wing militants 'should concern us all.' French officials have rejected what they call the 'instrumentalisation' of the tragedy for political ends.