US President Donald Trump has called for France to close its borders as violent riots and looting spread across major cities amid ongoing protests over the cost of living.
Key facts
- •US President Donald Trump cited immigration as the primary driver of the violent riots currently affecting France.
- •French authorities have arrested at least 1,800 people in connection with the nationwide unrest.
- •The 19th-century city hall in Limoges was set on fire, leading to the collapse of its spire.
- •Protests originally began among students in Paris before expanding into a national movement against inflation and inequality.
- •President Emmanuel Macron called for unity against those seeking to destroy institutions and promised that perpetrators of violence would be punished.
US President Donald Trump attributed the widespread civil unrest in France to immigration in a series of posts on Truth Social on Sunday. His comments followed a surge in violence across cities including Paris, Marseille, and Nice, where protesters clashed with police, looted shops, and attacked public buildings. French authorities have reported at least 1,800 arrests as the government struggles to contain the escalating disorder.
By the numbers
Escalation of Civil Unrest
The current wave of violence marks a significant escalation in protests that began weeks ago, initially sparked by high school students in Paris’s northern suburbs concerned about teacher shortages and school facilities. These demonstrations have since expanded into a broader movement against rising inflation, the cost of living, and deteriorating public services. While many participants have demonstrated peacefully, smaller groups have engaged in looting, vandalism, and direct confrontations with law enforcement and media personnel. On Saturday, the unrest reached a peak as masked individuals set fires to public infrastructure. In Limoges, a fire destroyed the 19th-century city hall, with footage showing the building's spire collapsing. Similar acts of vandalism occurred in Marseille, where masked individuals forced entry into the city hall.
Government Response and Official Statements
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence, stating that those who attacked prefectures, businesses, and town halls would be prosecuted. Macron scheduled an emergency meeting with government officials for Sunday afternoon, followed by a televised address to the nation. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez also emphasized that while the right to protest is fundamental, the deliberate use of violence to sow disorder is not acceptable. In his social media statements, Donald Trump characterized the situation as "out of control" and urged French authorities to "close your borders and take control" before the situation worsens. He claimed that immigration from different cultural backgrounds has contributed to the country's decline.
Timeline
- Last monthThe protest movement began among high school students in Paris.
- SaturdayMasked groups set fires to public buildings and looted shops across several cities.
- SundayPresident Donald Trump posted comments on Truth Social blaming immigration for the unrest.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Hindustan Times World, Jerusalem Post.
