Escalating Riots in France: Trump and Waltz Highlight Immigration Concerns

President Donald Trump has issued a warning about the growing unrest in France, attributing it to uncontrolled mass migration. His views are supported by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz, who also blames unchecked immigration and flawed European policies for the turmoil.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Waltz condemned the violence occurring in France while linking it to European immigration and economic strategies. He stated, “We must condemn lawlessness and the violence in Paris but also recognize that open borders and pro-migration policies, combined with years of inadequate energy and excessive government spending, have led to a level of frustration that is now evident.”

“What’s happening in France is nothing less than out of control mass migration. This isn’t about schools, this is about Islam wanting to take over a once great Country!” — President Donald Trump

France is experiencing significant unrest, with recent protests becoming the largest since the student demonstrations began in September. On Tuesday, police used tear gas in Paris and other cities as protesters set fires and threw projectiles. According to Reuters, the French Interior Ministry reported the arrest of 6,100 people, mainly minors. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu described the clashes as resulting in the “heaviest toll” on the school system in decades.

Despite the unrest’s escalation, the original protests focused on educational issues, including concerns over timetables, class sizes, teacher shortages, and overheated classrooms during heatwaves. Reuters and AP have noted that the movement began due to deteriorating school conditions, such as overcrowded classrooms and inadequate building maintenance like water leaks and rat infestations.

As police continue to clash with protesters in cities like Lyon, Strasbourg, and Rennes, roughly half of France’s 3,700 high schools either remain blockaded or are expected to close. The Paris police reported confrontation in the city when approximately 300 people attempted to challenge security forces, adding that generally the protest was peaceful elsewhere.

The unrest has caught the attention of former assistant attorney general Theo Wold, who connected immigration to the violence, stating, “The French are known for strikes and demonstrations. What’s new is the violence, lawlessness, and rioting as a consequence of mass immigration.”

The riots in France are also impacting the political landscape ahead of the presidential election scheduled for April and May 2027. Reuters reported allegations from authorities that members of the hard-left France Unbowed party, or LFI, have incited the turmoil. Those accused deny these claims.

Effie Lachter, a journalist with Fox News Digital, has provided coverage on these developments. Bringing extensive experience in global affairs and human rights reporting, Lachter has documented significant global events and interviewed key political figures. Her efforts have earned recognition through multiple awards, including the Peres Center for Peace Award and Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship.