France has blocked US Ambassador Charles Kushner from direct access to government members after he failed to attend a foreign ministry summons for the second time in six months, citing “personal commitments” and sending a senior embassy official in his place.
The French foreign ministry stated: “In light of this apparent failure to grasp the basic requirements of the ambassadorial mission and the honor of representing one’s country, the minister (Barrot) has requested that he (Kushner) no longer be allowed direct access to members of the French government.”
Kushner would, however, be permitted to continue his diplomatic duties and have “exchanges” with officials, the ministry added. The unprecedented restriction represents the most hostile action from Paris against the Trump administration over what France views as repeated Washington interference in French domestic affairs.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot summoned Kushner for Monday after the US embassy in Paris reposted State Department comments about slain far-right activist Quentin Deranque. The 23-year-old died from head injuries following clashes between radical-left and far-right supporters in Lyon earlier this month.
The State Department’s bureau of counter-terrorism posted: “Violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque’s death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety.” Barrot denounced on Sunday any attempts to exploit the killing “for political ends” and summoned Kushner for a meeting the following day.
A diplomatic source told outlets the ambassador cited “personal commitments” and dispatched a senior embassy official instead. The decision to skip the summons mirrors Kushner’s August actions when French diplomats summoned him to answer for his criticism of France’s handling of antisemitism, but he failed to attend that meeting as well.
Kushner, whose son Jared is married to Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka, took up his post in Paris last year. He was previously summoned to the foreign ministry at the end of August after the French government took exception to his criticism that President Emmanuel Macron was not tackling antisemitism.
Sarah Rogers, the State Department under secretary for public diplomacy, escalated tensions Friday when she said Deranque’s killing showed “why we treat political violence – terrorism – so harshly.” Rogers wrote on X: “Once you decide to kill people for their opinions instead of persuade them, you’ve opted out of civilization.”
Deranque’s death has put France on edge, igniting tensions between left and right ahead of a 2027 presidential vote. More than 3,000 people marched in Lyon on Saturday in tribute to Deranque, with authorities deploying heavy security for fear of further clashes.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni weighed in on the Lyon killing, triggering a war of words with Macron who urged her to stop “commenting on what happens in other countries.” The international dimension has amplified domestic French tensions surrounding the incident.
The access restriction creates practical complications for US-French diplomatic relations whilst Kushner remains in post. The foreign ministry’s decision to ban direct access to government members whilst permitting continued diplomatic duties and “exchanges” with officials creates ambiguity about what interactions remain permissible.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment. The administration has not publicly addressed whether it views the French restrictions as acceptable or whether Kushner will face consequences for repeatedly skipping foreign ministry summons.
The pattern of Kushner missing summons whilst other embassy officials attend suggests either deliberate strategy or disregard for French diplomatic protocol. The foreign ministry’s reference to his “apparent failure to grasp the basic requirements of the ambassadorial mission” indicates French frustration extends beyond single incidents to his overall approach to the role.
The restriction’s duration remains unclear, with no indication whether France views this as permanent for Kushner’s tenure or subject to review if his engagement changes. The ministry’s statement focused on his failure to attend rather than establishing conditions for restoring access.
