Trump Calls for Border Closures Amidst French Riots

Former President Donald Trump called on France to close its borders Monday, citing the weekend's extensive rioting as evidence of uncontrolled migrant populations. The unrest, which resulted in approximately 2,400 arrests across the country, has seen major cities descend into what Trump described on Truth Social as a state of anarchy.

Initially attributed to public discontent over education and the cost of living, the protests have been characterized by the involvement of far-left activists and second-generation immigrants. These groups have been implicated in looting luxury stores and other businesses in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.

In response to the escalating situation, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that local prefects would be instructed to impose localized and limited curfews. Lecornu acknowledged the severe violence and property damage but highlighted that no lives were lost, describing it as a "miracle." Specific details regarding the curfews were expected later Monday.

The city of Marseille, which has a significant North African immigrant population, implemented a ban on protests and other gatherings from noon to 8 p.m. local time on Monday.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reportedly offered his resignation on Sunday, but President Emmanuel Macron asked him to remain in his position to oversee law enforcement command during the ongoing crisis. A statement from the Elysee Palace indicated Macron also instructed Nuñez to ensure transparency regarding intelligence and planning failures that may have contributed to the violence.

Nuñez acknowledged that authorities had lost control in certain major cities, stating, "you can't look shopkeepers in the eye when hundreds of businesses have been looted and say" otherwise. He emphasized the need for improved anticipation of such mobilizations to prevent future occurrences.

France is part of the Schengen Area, a zone comprising 28 European nations that generally allows for free movement without systematic identity checks for arrivals from member states.