Trump likens Le Pen's conviction to his own legal woes
U.S. President Donald Trump described the conviction of Marine Le Pen on Monday as "a very big deal." He noted that her exclusion from running in elections reminds him of his own legal troubles in the United States.
What do you need to know?
- Marine Le Pen was sentenced to four years in prison, with two years suspended, for embezzlement of public funds. The verdict also includes a five-year ban from seeking public office.
- Donald Trump compared Le Pen's situation to his own legal issues in the U.S. He emphasized that her exclusion from elections is reminiscent of his own predicaments.
- U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce expressed concern about exclusions from the political process. She stressed that the West should defend freedom of speech.
Trump on Le Pen's conviction
— It is a very big deal — Trump said when asked about the conviction of the leader of France's far-right. — I know all about it and a lot of people thought she wasn’t going to be convicted for anything. She was banned for five years and she was the leading candidate. That sounds like this country, that sounds very much like this country, — he added.
What does the verdict mean for Marine Le Pen?
Earlier, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed the situation, referencing Vice President J.D. Vance’s speech in February in Munich, where he defended freedom of speech and opposed eliminating citizens from the political process.
— Exclusion of people from the political process is particularly concerning given the aggressive and corrupt lawfare waged against President Trump here in the United States, — Bruce stated. — We defend everyone's right to express opinions publicly, regardless of whether we share them, — she added.
Le Pen guilty. Court sentenced the presidential candidate
Bruce also disagreed with a term used by one of the journalists who described Le Pen as a far-right leader.
On Monday, a Paris court sentenced Marine Le Pen to four years in prison, with two years suspended, for embezzlement of public funds. Additionally, the court imposed a five-year ban on holding public office, which takes effect immediately.
In practical terms, this means that Le Pen, who has run for the office of the President of France three times, will not be able to participate in the presidential elections in 2027—unless a favorable court ruling overturns the ban in the meantime. Appeal proceedings in France can take from several months to several years.
