US State Department Responds to Conviction of Le Pen
The French conservative politician Marine Le Pen has been barred from the 2027 presidential race following a prison sentence issued for embezzlement. A Paris court recently sentenced Le Pen, the former leader of the National Rally party, to...
TroibNews 
The French conservative politician Marine Le Pen has been barred from the 2027 presidential race following a prison sentence issued for embezzlement.
A Paris court recently sentenced Le Pen, the former leader of the National Rally party, to four years in prison, with two years suspended, and prohibited her from holding public office for five years. If the ruling stands, it would effectively prevent her from participating in the 2027 presidential elections.
Le Pen was accused by prosecutors of misappropriating EU funds that were meant to cover expenses for her aides during her time in the European Parliament. According to Le Monde, the prosecutors contended that Le Pen and other politicians from her party diverted these funds to support party activities in France. She has characterized the verdict as a politically motivated attack and has vowed to appeal the decision.
US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce drew connections between Le Pen's case and the criminal prosecution of former President Donald Trump, suggesting broader implications regarding political processes.
“We’ve got to do more as the West than just talk about democratic values. We must live them,” Bruce asserted.
In response to the situation, she voiced concern over the exclusion of individuals from political processes, comparing it to the "aggressive and corrupt lawfare" against Trump. “We support the right of everyone to offer their views in the public square, agree or disagree,” she added.
Bruce also referenced Vice President J. D. Vance's comments from the Munich Security Conference in February, where he criticized Germany and other American allies for allegedly attempting to limit political competition. “Democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters. There is no room for firewalls. You either uphold the principle or you don’t,” Vance stated.
Jordan Bardella, the president of the National Rally, accused the authorities of deliberately attempting to exclude Le Pen from the 2027 election, claiming that they are denying millions of voters their choice and freedom.
Le Pen has made three bids for the presidency, finishing second in both the 2017 and 2022 elections.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
A Paris court recently sentenced Le Pen, the former leader of the National Rally party, to four years in prison, with two years suspended, and prohibited her from holding public office for five years. If the ruling stands, it would effectively prevent her from participating in the 2027 presidential elections.
Le Pen was accused by prosecutors of misappropriating EU funds that were meant to cover expenses for her aides during her time in the European Parliament. According to Le Monde, the prosecutors contended that Le Pen and other politicians from her party diverted these funds to support party activities in France. She has characterized the verdict as a politically motivated attack and has vowed to appeal the decision.
US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce drew connections between Le Pen's case and the criminal prosecution of former President Donald Trump, suggesting broader implications regarding political processes.
“We’ve got to do more as the West than just talk about democratic values. We must live them,” Bruce asserted.
In response to the situation, she voiced concern over the exclusion of individuals from political processes, comparing it to the "aggressive and corrupt lawfare" against Trump. “We support the right of everyone to offer their views in the public square, agree or disagree,” she added.
Bruce also referenced Vice President J. D. Vance's comments from the Munich Security Conference in February, where he criticized Germany and other American allies for allegedly attempting to limit political competition. “Democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters. There is no room for firewalls. You either uphold the principle or you don’t,” Vance stated.
Jordan Bardella, the president of the National Rally, accused the authorities of deliberately attempting to exclude Le Pen from the 2027 election, claiming that they are denying millions of voters their choice and freedom.
Le Pen has made three bids for the presidency, finishing second in both the 2017 and 2022 elections.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
