Trump likens Le Pen's sentencing to his own legal battles
US President Donald Trump described the sentencing of Marine Le Pen on Monday as "a very big deal." He noted that her being barred from participating 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, including two suspended, for embezzlement of public funds. The sentence also includes a five-year ban on seeking public office.
- Donald Trump compared Le Pen's situation to his legal issues in the US. He emphasised that her exclusion from the elections reminds him of his own predicaments.
- US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce expressed concern about exclusion from the political process. She emphasised 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, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce commented on the situation, reminding about 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 found guilty. The court sentenced the presidential candidate
Bruce also disagreed with the term used by one of the journalists, who referred to Le Pen as the leader of the far-right.
On Monday, the Paris court sentenced Marine Le Pen to four years in prison, with two years suspended, for the embezzlement of public funds. Additionally, the court imposed a five-year ban on holding public office, which takes effect immediately.
In practice, this means that Le Pen, who has run for the presidency of France three times, will not be able to participate in the 2027 presidential elections – unless by that time a favourable ruling is made by a higher court. Appeal proceedings in France can take from several months to even several years.
