U.S. Politician Warns of Potential Consequences from French Riots

Rep. Keith Self, a leading House Republican focusing on Europe, attributes the ongoing riots in French cities to mass migration. He cautions that the United States might soon face similar issues. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Self expressed that the violent events in France were anticipated.

“France has allowed this situation to develop over many years,” Self stated. “They are experiencing the results of those decisions. We, in the U.S., need to learn from this. We are observing what could be America’s future by looking at France and the U.K.”

Self serves as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe within the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-founded the Sharia-Free America Caucus with Rep. Chip Roy. This group has faced criticism from Democrats and organizations like the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations, labeling it Islamophobic. However, Self stands by his views, indicating that France’s increasing Muslim population contributes to the unrest.

“France now has around 7% Muslims,” Self noted. “When such a concentrated percentage exists in major cities, it becomes a tipping point.”

Islam ranks as the second most practiced religion in France among people aged 18 to 59, after Catholicism, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies in France. Self argues that societal and moral equivalence should be questioned. “There’s a need to defend France’s Christian heritage,” he said.

Following days of destructive protests, with looting and damage to historic buildings, France’s government has pointed fingers at far-left groups. These groups are blamed for worsening tensions amid high living costs and pricey education.

Self suggests France is in a “civil war” and advocates for military intervention, although he doubts it will happen. “There’s significant destruction,” he mentioned. “It’s unclear if they have the resolve to send in the military. Without action, they risk losing cultural identity in major cities.”

Asking if President Emmanuel Macron should resign, Self deferred, “That decision lies with Macron. It might benefit France.” Yet, he maintained the chaos shouldn’t harm U.S.-France relations. Instead, the U.S. should aid France with intelligence efforts. “Providing help through facial recognition technology and other means is crucial,” Self said, stressing no American personnel should deploy. “France remains a significant ally. Support is vital, aligned with President Trump’s previous encouragements for France to increase efforts.”

With over 500,000 people demonstrating nationwide and 1,800 arrests, including 800 in Paris, the protest scenes depict burning heritage sites. Flags of Algerian, Palestinian, and Moroccan origins among them have fueled debates about France’s immigration policies.

The Louvre Museum has closed temporarily due to the unrest. Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, covers the U.S. House of Representatives extensively, with past contributions to the Daily Mail and CBS News.