Trump, Waltz Tie French Riots to Mass Immigration; Thousands Arrested

Asked by News Outlet about Trump’s remarks and the scenes unfolding across France, Waltz condemned the violence while also connecting the unrest to Europe’s immigration and economic policies.

“We would always condemn lawlessness and the violence we’re seeing in Paris,” Waltz told News Outlet. “But we also have to recognize that when you have open borders and a pro-migration, unchecked immigration policy, combined with years of policies that deny people basic energy and overspend on other government programs, you can see frustration reach a boiling point.”

Trump weighed in as the unrest intensified, arguing that the demonstrations were about more than students’ complaints over France’s education system. “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!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, I think you’re seeing the results of some of that, and President Trump has brought that to light,” Waltz added.

The comments came as France experienced its most intense day of school unrest since demonstrations began in September. On Tuesday, police fired tear gas in Paris and other major cities as protesters set fires and threw projectiles. France’s Interior Ministry said 6,100 people had been arrested, the vast majority of them minors, according to Reuters. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the clashes had produced the school system’s “heaviest toll in decades.”

France’s Interior Ministry said 6,100 people had been arrested so far, with minors accounting for the overwhelming majority. Lecornu told lawmakers Tuesday that at least 215 teenagers and 85 school staff members had been injured. His office said more than 700 police officers had also been hurt, according to Reuters.

The latest demonstrations led to clashes in Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg and Rennes, where police used tear gas as protesters set fires and threw projectiles. More than half of France’s approximately 3,700 high schools were blockaded or expected to close Tuesday, according to the High School Students Union. Paris police said the clashes began when about 300 people tried to confront security forces, while noting that the protest was otherwise proceeding peacefully in much of the city.

Theo Wold, a former assistant attorney general and former White House deputy assistant for domestic policy under Trump, also said immigration was contributing to the unrest.

“The French are notorious for strikes, labor stoppages and street demonstrations. It’s a core part of the Fifth Republic’s civic culture,” Wold told News Outlet. “What’s new is the violence, lawlessness and rioting. This is a consequence of mass immigration.”

Trump, Waltz and Wold attributed the violence to immigration. However, Reuters and AP have reported that the protest movement began over school conditions, including teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating buildings and inadequate education funding. Students have pointed to crowded classrooms, staff shortages and crumbling school facilities — including water leaks and rat infestations — as key grievances.

The unrest has increasingly become part of a wider political battle ahead of France’s presidential election in April and May 2027. Reuters reported last week that French authorities and political opponents had accused lawmakers and mayors from the hard-left France Unbowed party, or LFI, of encouraging the demonstrations. LFI has denied the allegations.

News Outlet’s Greg Norman-Diamond and Reuters contributed to this story.