France to summon US ambassador over comments on slain far-right activist, foreign minister says
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
France is set to summon the US ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, following comments made by the US Embassy and State Department officials regarding the killing of French far-right activist Quentin Deranque. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the decision on Sunday, emphasizing that the remarks were inappropriate and risked politicizing a tragic national incident. Deranque was beaten to death in a fight with individuals linked to hard-left groups, an event that has sparked widespread outrage in France.
The US Embassy and State Department had previously condemned what they described as "violent radical leftism" rising in France, characterizing it as a public safety threat. Sarah Rogers, the under secretary for public diplomacy at the State Department, went further by equating political violence to terrorism, stating that killing people for their opinions is incompatible with civilization. These comments were strongly rebuked by Barrot, who stressed that such statements could exploit the tragedy for political gain.
The incident has deeply divided French society, with far-right supporters organizing marches in Lyon and President Emmanuel Macron urging calm. The case has also raised tensions between France and the United States, particularly over differing views on free speech and political violence. Critics argue that the US officials' remarks were out of line with diplomatic decorum and risked undermining France's sovereignty.
The situation highlights broader concerns about rising political polarization and the potential for violence to escalate in both Europe and the United States. It also underscores the delicate balance nations must strike between addressing political extremism and maintaining respectful international relations. As tensions persist, the outcome of this diplomatic row will be closely watched by global observers
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on France 24 on 2/22/2026