Trump warns France on immigration

French citizens face a more aggressive response from their government as President Emmanuel Macron orders the deployment of tens of thousands of police officers nationwide. Authorities are now requiring individuals who loot or damage property to reimburse the state for the costs. This escalation follows a surge in demonstrations that have spread from student grievances to wider public discontent across the country.

The unrest has roots that stretch back more than a decade. Donald Trump first raised concerns about European immigration during his 2016 presidential campaign. He has since maintained a consistent message to French leadership. Emmanuel Macron took office in 2017, a year after Trump first began articulating these specific warnings regarding border control and national identity.

In an interview with Fox News Digital on Tuesday, Trump revisited this long-standing argument. He spoke after a campaign rally in Texas, a final stop in his push for Republican candidates ahead of next week’s midterm elections. Trump stated that the current chaos is not a school issue but an immigration issue. He claimed to have told Macron for a long time that France would lose its country if it did not act.

Trump spoke with U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner earlier in the week. The two discussed what Trump believes are the underlying causes of the protest movement. During that conversation, Trump described the situation as very sad. He asserted that some residents hold a deep dislike for French culture, including its buildings, art, and people. He argued that these individuals must be removed from the country.

Macron responded to international commentary last week without naming specific leaders. He described remarks from foreign officials as unacceptable and even stupid. He characterized these claims as false assertions made for political gain. Both the United States and Israel are currently navigating high-stakes election cycles, a factor Trump did not address in his Tuesday remarks.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that nearly 1,000 people were arrested on Saturday as nationwide protests resumed. Macron identified ultra-left groups with the aim of bringing down the Republic as the primary drivers of the unrest. He announced that any group organized by individuals or entities without legitimate authority would be banned. A recent investigation identified 50 Antifa groups among nearly 300 organizations mobilizing around the demonstrations.

The turbulence has extended beyond French borders this month. Violence erupted in Rome and in Tirana, the capital of Albania. In Tirana, demonstrators set government buildings on fire. Macron’s office has been contacted for comment regarding the latest developments.