Vance blames immigration for riots in France

• US Vice President JD Vance blamed immigration and what he called failures of assimilation for violence during protests in France, sharing footage of a city hall in flames.
• Vance linked the unrest to US politics ahead of the Nov. 3 congressional midterm elections, accusing Democrats of pursuing a similar future for the country.
• His remarks echo President Donald Trump’s repeated criticism of immigration and warnings about crime and social disorder in Europe.

US Vice President JD Vance on Saturday blamed immigration and what he described as failures of assimilation for violence during protests in France, using footage of a burning city hall to attack European immigration policies and warn Americans about the political direction of the United States.

“Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignored fundamental questions of assimilation and compatibility. They were told it would lead to this and they didn't listen,” Vance wrote on X.

“I pray that France, a beautiful country of amazing people, will stop this madness before more of its landmarks burn,” he added, sharing a video showing the city hall in Limoges on fire.

Vance also tied the unrest to the US political landscape ahead of the Nov. 3 congressional midterm elections, in which Republicans face the prospect of electoral losses.

“And I hope Americans are paying attention. This is the future congressional Democrats seek for your country,” he wrote.

The comments echoed President Donald Trump’s longstanding rhetoric linking immigration to crime, insecurity and the erosion of national identity. Trump has repeatedly invoked violence and disorder in European countries to argue against immigration policies, portraying them as warnings for the United States.

The remarks also reflect the nationalist and anti-immigration positions championed by Vance, who is viewed as a potential Republican presidential contender in 2028. He has frequently criticized European governments over what he considers overly permissive immigration policies.

In Feb. 2025, Vance used a speech at the Munich Security Conference to criticize European leaders over immigration and free speech, arguing that the continent’s political establishment was failing to address public concerns and warning that excluding anti-establishment parties could undermine democracy.

The protests in France on Saturday saw clashes between police and demonstrators, with marches against soaring inflation escalating into street violence, looting and fires, according to AFP.

Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignored fundamental questions of assimilation and compatibility. They were told it would lead to this and they didn't listen. I pray that France, a beautiful country of amazing people, will stop this madness before more of its landmarks burn. And I hope Americans are paying attention. This is the future congressional Democrats seek for your country.

— JD Vance (@JDVance) October 18, 2026