France Accuses U.S. Envoy of Diplomatic Violation After Skipped Meeting

France’s foreign minister demanded an explanation on Tuesday after U.S. envoy Charles Kushner failed to attend a meeting with French officials, asserting diplomatic ties between the two nations would remain unaffected.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot summoned Kushner following the U.S. embassy in Paris’ reposting of comments from the Trump administration that denounced “terrorism” and leftist violence in France after the killing of activist Quentin Deranque, 23.

The dispute intensified after Kushner, whose son Jared is married to Ivanka Trump, skipped a prior meeting with French officials last year and sent an official representative instead. On Monday, France moved to restrict Kushner’s access to government ministers.

Deranque died from head injuries following clashes between radical-left and far-right supporters at a protest against a hard-left politician from the France Unbowed (LFI) party in Lyon.

Barrot criticized Kushner’s absence as a breach of diplomatic protocol, stating, “It’s a surprise” and emphasizing that all French people share the same sentiment: “We do not accept that foreign countries can come and interfere in, then insert themselves into our national political debate, whatever the circumstances.”

Kushner, 71, is a multimillionaire real estate developer and former attorney who spent time in prison after pleading guilty in 2004 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering, and illegal campaign contributions. Trump pardoned him in 2020.

Barrot stressed the need for dialogue with Kushner while noting the incident would affect his ability to carry out duties in France but not Franco-U.S. relations. When asked whether Kushner might be declared persona non grata, Barrot declined to answer directly.

Yael Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly lower house, stated that maintaining communication was essential but added both sides must avoid being “pushed around.”

Kushner cited “personal commitments” and sent a senior embassy official instead. The incident drew criticism even among U.S. diplomats, with Charles Shapiro, a former ambassador to Venezuela, noting: “One of the basic rules is that when you are summoned by the host country’s foreign minister, you show up. On time.”

In December 2024, Trump defended Kushner’s appointment as France’s envoy, saying it was “a great thing because he’s in our family” and adding that essentially “a family member of mine is coming to France.”