US Vice President JD Vance has blamed immigration and failed integration policies for violent unrest in France, using nationwide protests over rising living costs to warn American voters against supporting Democrats in November’s congressional midterm elections.
In a post on X on Saturday, Vance shared footage showing the historic town hall in Limoges, central France, engulfed in flames during demonstrations that descended into violence.
Vance accused Western liberal governments of encouraging mass immigration in the name of diversity and compassion while ignoring concerns about assimilation and social cohesion.
He argued that European leaders had been warned about the potential consequences of their immigration policies but had refused to listen.
The vice president also expressed hope that France would restore order before further historic landmarks were damaged, describing the country and its people in affectionate terms.
Vance then drew a direct comparison between the unrest in France and the political choices facing Americans ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
“I hope Americans are paying attention,” Vance wrote, warning that Democratic lawmakers wanted a similar future for the United States.
His comments came as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across France on Saturday to protest soaring living costs, deteriorating public services and broader economic pressures.
Although many demonstrations remained peaceful, violence erupted in several cities, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Limoges, where masked individuals attacked public buildings, set fires and clashed with police.
French authorities estimated that approximately 550,000 people participated in the nationwide demonstrations, while organisers put the figure at 800,000.
Vance, 42, is a prominent figure in the Republican Party’s nationalist America First movement and has repeatedly criticised European immigration policies, arguing that they threaten national identity and social stability.
Widely regarded as a potential Republican presidential contender in 2028, Vance has increasingly linked developments in Europe to domestic political debates in the United States.
His latest intervention comes as Republicans prepare for closely contested congressional elections that could determine control of Congress during the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term.
However, while Vance attributed the French violence to immigration and integration failures, the demonstrations were primarily organised around economic grievances and public services. No evidence was presented linking the wider unrest specifically to immigration.
