PARIS — France has restricted U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner’s direct access to senior French government officials after he failed to appear for a formal summons at the Foreign Ministry, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the decision followed Kushner’s absence from a scheduled meeting at the Quai d’Orsay, France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Kushner had been summoned to address concerns about recent statements shared by the U.S. Embassy in Paris.
French officials described the failure to attend as a serious breach of diplomatic protocol.
Barrot said he requested that Kushner no longer be granted direct access to members of the French government, stating that the ambassador’s absence reflected a “failure to grasp the basic expectations” of diplomatic representation.
French authorities stopped short of expelling Kushner. In a statement, the ministry said it remains possible for the ambassador to carry out his duties and present himself at the Quai d’Orsay.
Dispute Over Embassy Statement
The immediate dispute centers on a U.S. State Department post, shared by the U.S. Embassy in Paris, addressing the killing of Quentin Deranque, a far-right activist who was beaten to death in Lyon.
The post attributed the violence to “violent radical leftism.” French officials objected, arguing that the characterization politicized an ongoing criminal investigation and constituted inappropriate commentary on a domestic matter.
In France, public statements about active criminal investigations are treated as particularly sensitive. As the 2027 presidential election approaches, officials have expressed concern about foreign commentary influencing internal political tensions.
Kushner did not attend the meeting called to address those concerns.
Prior Tensions
This is not the first time French authorities have formally summoned Kushner.
In 2025, he was summoned to the Foreign Ministry regarding a letter criticizing France’s efforts to combat antisemitism. According to French officials, Kushner did not personally attend that meeting.
Kushner, a businessman and father of Jared Kushner, who served as a senior adviser in the Trump White House, was confirmed as U.S. ambassador to France and Monaco in 2025.
Strains in a Longstanding Alliance
The United States and France remain close allies, cooperating on defense, intelligence, and economic matters.
For now, French officials say Kushner can resume full diplomatic engagement if he meets with them to address the matter.
Still, limiting an ambassador’s direct access is an unusual step for two longtime partners.
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