Trump Says ‘Europe is Finished’ Without Tighter Borders, Deportations Amid France Unrest

US President Donald Trump has warned that Europe faces a bleak future unless it closes its borders and deports people he described as criminals and those who “hate their countries”, as French authorities tighten restrictions following violent unrest.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Monday, Trump blamed immigration for the disturbances in France, rejecting suggestions that education grievances or other domestic policy issues were responsible. He offered no evidence in the remarks provided to establish that immigration was driving the violence.

“If Europe doesn’t close its borders and bring the criminals out, like the people that protest, Europe is finished,” Trump said.

He urged European governments to tighten border controls and remove people he accused of hostility towards their adopted countries.

TRUMP RECOUNTS ADVICE TO MACRON

Trump said he had repeatedly advised French President Emmanuel Macron to close France’s borders, beginning during his first term.

“Emmanuel, look, he’s a friend of mine. I told him a long time ago, you’re making a big mistake in France. You’re letting everybody from the world come in,” he said.

Trump also made an unsubstantiated prediction about Paris becoming a Muslim-majority city. The supplied report provided no demographic evidence supporting that claim.

Comparing French immigration policy with his administration’s approach, Trump said Macron should have acted earlier. He acknowledged that France also faced energy difficulties but maintained that immigration was the principal cause of the unrest.

BORDEAUX ORDERS NIGHT CURFEW FOR MINORS

The comments came as authorities in Bordeaux announced a week-long night curfew for unaccompanied minors after shops were damaged and looted in the city centre over the weekend.

The order, announced by Gironde and Nouvelle-Aquitaine Prefect Sophie Brocas, restricts people under 18 from entering designated public spaces between 10 pm and 7 am unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. It takes effect on Tuesday and runs until the morning of October 26.

The restrictions cover several commercial streets and public squares, including Rue Sainte-Catherine, Rue de la Porte-Dijeaux and Place Saint-Projet.

Authorities said 400 police officers and gendarmes, supported by water cannons and armoured vehicles, were deployed during the weekend disturbances. Nearly 120 people were arrested over Saturday and Sunday.

“Freedom to demonstrate will never give license to loot,” Brocas said, condemning the damage to businesses.

Local officials and trade representatives are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to assess losses and coordinate assistance for affected shopkeepers.

FRANCE TIGHTENS RESPONSE

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu instructed regional authorities to impose partial curfews in selected urban areas following two consecutive days of violent disturbances, France 24 reported.

According to the report, at least 2,400 people were arrested nationwide, while town halls were set on fire and hundreds of businesses were looted or damaged.

Macron criticised security failures during the unrest but rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nunez’s resignation, France 24 reported.

With inputs from ANI