Trump Criticises Macron Over France's Ongoing Riots Amid Curfews

United States President Donald Trump has publicly blamed French President Emmanuel Macron for the ongoing riots and protests in France, attributing the unrest to Macron's immigration policies. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump stated that the situation could have been averted had Macron followed his earlier advice regarding immigration. He expressed concern over what he described as an impending demographic shift in Paris.

Trump remarked, "Paris is going to be a Muslim city very soon, and that wasn't the deal," indicating that he believes the influx of immigrants is altering the character of the French capital. He further asserted his longstanding warnings to Macron about allowing large numbers of immigrants into France, saying, "You're making a big mistake in France. You're letting everybody from the world come in."

The remarks come in the context of France imposing localized curfews and restrictions on public gatherings in several cities, including Paris, Lille, and Nice, following a weekend marked by widespread riots, looting, and confrontations between protesters and police. The unrest has intensified scrutiny on Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's government regarding security failures, damage to businesses, and public discontent ahead of upcoming presidential elections.

In response to the unrest, French authorities decided on targeted restrictions rather than a blanket curfew in Paris. Lecornu emphasized that localized measures were more fitting at this point but did not rule out the possibility of enacting a state of emergency. He declared, "My determination to restore order is absolute."

Further measures were implemented by Paris police, prohibiting protests in specific areas from 8 pm on Monday. A curfew was set in place around Place de la République and Les Halles from 11 pm until 6 am on Tuesday, with additional police deployed to enforce these restrictions.

The Interior Ministry of France reported that approximately 2,400 individuals had been arrested and nearly 1,000 police officers injured during the recent clashes. Among the incidents, one protester suffered a cardiac arrest and died on Saturday. The Federation of Trade and Retail disclosed that nearly 3,000 shops have been affected by the recent violence, leading to calls for governmental support for the businesses impacted by the destruction.

President Macron condemned the acts of violence in a televised address, expressing his anger and shame over the situation. He stated, "Nothing justifies it, nothing explains it, nothing excuses it," and urged that the actions of participants in peaceful protests should not be conflated with those engaged in violence.

While Macron stopped short of declaring a state of emergency, he indicated the government would allow local authorities to ban demonstrations when necessary to protect public properties and businesses. The current unrest has created increasing pressure on the French government to restore order, safeguard commercial establishments, and address public concerns over safety as restrictions continue to be enforced in affected regions.