French protests entered U.S. midterm politics after President Donald Trump urged France to tighten its borders, blaming immigration for unrest, and Vice President JD Vance linked the issue to the Nov. 3 congressional races.
Trump set out his appeal in an Oct. 18 post on Truth Social, attributing disturbances during demonstrations in France to immigration. Vance wrote on X Saturday, Oct. 17, connecting immigration with the upcoming vote for congressional seats. France 24 characterized Vance as a possible contender in the 2028 presidential race.
Commenting on the Oct. 17 demonstrations, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the police response had not contained events in several cities, in remarks covered in EconoTimes' account of the response. Officials also moved to support firms affected by the demonstrations and reassess security measures.
An earlier EconoTimes account of France's protests, citing The Independent, noted cost-of-living and inequality grievances and comparisons with the 2018 Yellow Vest movement. The Independent reported that the earlier mobilization began over diesel taxes and later expanded to wider household concerns.
The U.S. congressional election is scheduled for Nov. 3.
