State Department Suggests French Activist Death Could Be Terrorism

The U.S. State Department is closely monitoring the killing of a French far-right activist by suspected hard-left militants, suggesting the incident may constitute terrorism. The comments could heighten existing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Paris over various policy disagreements.

PARIS – American diplomatic officials are keeping a watchful eye on the death of a French far-right activist at the hands of alleged hard-left extremists, raising the possibility that the incident could be classified as terrorism in remarks that may escalate ongoing friction between the United States and France.

The State Department’s counterterrorism division announced Thursday on social media platform X that it was tracking the situation, cautioning that “violent radical leftism was on the rise” and should be considered a threat to public safety. The bureau added: “We … expect to see the perpetrators of violence brought to justice.”

Under Secretary of State Sarah B. Rogers, a public diplomacy leader who has spearheaded multiple criticisms of European administrations, posted on X Friday that she was also closely following developments in the case.

“Democracy rests on a basic bargain: you get to bring any viewpoint to the public square, and nobody gets to kill you for it. This is why we treat political violence – terrorism – so harshly,” Rogers stated.

Neither the U.S. State Department nor France’s Foreign Ministry provided responses to requests for comment.

The counterterrorism bureau at the State Department holds significant responsibility in creating terrorist designations and implementing related sanctions measures.

Tensions between Washington and Paris have persisted for months across issues including trade policies, freedom of expression, and international relations. Rogers has consistently criticized France regarding its stance on technology oversight and speech regulations.

Deranque lost his life last Saturday following brutal confrontations between extreme-left and extreme-right factions in Lyon.

Legal authorities reported that six individuals are being investigated for murder, while a former aide to a France Unbowed (LFI) hard-left party representative is facing charges of complicity through incitement.

The event has caused significant upheaval in French political circles, damaging the LFI party while strengthening the far-right National Rally in advance of upcoming presidential elections next year, according to political observers. The incident also sparked a diplomatic disagreement between Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.