US President Donald Trump has blamed immigration for unrest in France, urging the French government to tighten its migration policies following protests that reportedly resulted in widespread destruction, looting and thousands of arrests.
Trump made the remarks on Sunday through a post on his Truth Social platform, arguing that immigration from different cultural backgrounds had contributed to the country's troubles.
“France is burning! The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country,” Trump wrote.
He added: “Close your Borders and take control, before it is too late!”
Trump's comments came as France dealt with the aftermath of protests that reportedly left a historic town hall damaged by fire, businesses vandalised and police making approximately 1,800 arrests nationwide.
The unrest has also increased pressure on French President Emmanuel Macron as the country faces political challenges ahead of the next presidential election.
JD Vance Also Criticises France's Immigration Policies
Trump's remarks followed similar comments by US Vice-President JD Vance, who criticised European immigration and integration policies in a post on X on Saturday.
Vance argued that Western liberal governments had prioritised diversity and compassion without adequately addressing questions surrounding assimilation and cultural compatibility.
“Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignored fundamental questions of assimilation and compatibility. They were told it would lead to this and they didn’t listen,” Vance wrote.
He also expressed concern over the reported destruction of French landmarks, saying he hoped the country would bring the unrest under control before further damage occurred.
Vance's comments reflect the Trump administration's broader criticism of immigration policies in Western countries. However, the claims linking immigration directly to the unrest represent the administration's interpretation of the events rather than an established explanation for all the violence.
France Reports 1,800 Arrests Following Protests
According to reports cited by PUNCH Online, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said approximately 1,800 people had been arrested, with investigations under way to identify those responsible for the destruction.
Nunez said authorities were working to ensure that those involved in the incidents were identified and brought to justice.
Paris reportedly recorded 855 arrests, with several streets affected by burnt vehicles, damaged shopfronts and debris left behind during the unrest.
Other cities, including Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice and Strasbourg, also experienced reported incidents of looting and property damage.
The scale of the destruction has raised concerns among business owners and residents over public safety, the protection of commercial property and the economic consequences of the protests.
Businesses Face Heavy Losses
The Retail and Trade Federation reportedly estimated that approximately 1,500 businesses had been damaged, with financial losses reaching hundreds of millions of euros.
Shops in Paris and other cities were reportedly looted during demonstrations linked to the cost of living.
The damage has added to concerns about the economic impact of the unrest, particularly for retailers and small businesses already facing financial pressures.
Authorities are expected to continue investigating the incidents and determining the extent of the damage.
Immigration Debate Intensifies Amid Political Tensions
Trump and Vance's comments have added an international political dimension to the unrest, placing immigration and integration at the centre of the debate over the causes of the violence.
While both US leaders have argued that immigration policies contributed to the situation, establishing the reasons behind the protests and individual acts of destruction requires evidence about the events, participants and circumstances involved.
The unrest also presents a challenge for French authorities, who must address public order concerns, investigate alleged criminal acts and respond to the economic and social issues associated with the demonstrations.
As investigations continue, the French government faces pressure to restore calm, protect businesses and public property, and establish accountability for those responsible for the reported damage.
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