Torched cars, ransacked businesses: Anti-Sharia crusader warns France 'civil war' could be imported to US
U.S. Congressman Warns of “Civil War‑like” Climate in France as Riots Rage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Keith Self (R‑TX), the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Europe, called the violent protests erupting across French cities a warning for the United States during a Fox News Digital interview on Monday. Self said the unrest was a direct outcome of France’s migration policies and that America could face a similar crisis if it does not address its own mass‑migration challenges.
“I’ve been following the developments in France for a long time,” Self told the network. “They’ve been allowing this to happen for years, and they are reaping what they sowed.” He added that France’s situation should serve as a “lesson to America.”
Self, who co‑founded the Sharia‑Free America Caucus with Rep. Chip Roy (R‑TX), argued that the country’s 7 % Muslim population – heavily concentrated in some large urban centers – has pushed France toward a tipping point. “When you reach that percentage…you have the tipping point that everybody talks about,” he said.
The congressman said that France’s “cultural and moral equivalence” assumption was flawed and warned that without decisive action, the country could lose its Christian heritage in the cities. “If they don’t step in with the military, they’re very close to losing their culture in the large cities,” he warned.
France’s Unrest and Government Response
The riots began on Sunday after a wave of protests that drew more than 500,000 people nationwide. Police reported 1,800 arrests across France, with 800 of those detained in Paris alone. Several historic sites—including the Louvre, which closed for the time being—were damaged, and images of burning town halls and vandalized monuments circulated worldwide.
French officials blame far‑left groups for exacerbating tensions, pointing to high living costs, expensive education, and other socio‑economic grievances. The secular centrist government has called for a united response to quell the violence.
U.S. Role and International Implications
Self said the United States should not abandon France amid the crisis. He offered intelligence‑gathering assistance, such as facial‑recognition technology, to help French authorities manage the unrest. “France is still a very important, very large ally and partner,” he said. “We need to do what we can… This is not the time to abandon France.”
He also suggested that President Emmanuel Macron might consider stepping down to restore stability, though he emphasized that the decision was up to the French president.
Domestic Backlash to Self’s Comments
The congressman’s remarks have drawn criticism from Democrats, who accuse the Sharia‑Free America Caucus of being Islamophobic. U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations and other groups have condemned the group’s positions. Self, however, stood by his statements, insisting that the protests were a consequence of France’s handling of migration and a warning for other nations.
Looking Ahead
As France grapples with the aftermath of the riots and the potential for further civil unrest, Rep. Self’s comments highlight a growing concern among some U.S. lawmakers that the country’s own migration policies could spark similar domestic turmoil. Whether America will heed the warning remains to be seen.