The United States is considering delaying or even blocking President Emmanuel Macron‘s choice for the next French ambassador to Washington. This decision is being discussed after France publicly criticized the American human rights record, according to four sources.
A final decision has not yet been made, according to the sources. Two of them noted that France’s criticism, expressed in a post by the French mission to the United Nations in Geneva on social media, sparked real outrage among some high-ranking officials in President Donald Trump‘s administration. The other two sources reported that officials hope for a de-escalation of tensions in relations with France.
“The United States is very disappointed by the irresponsible and disrespectful rhetoric from the French,” a State Department representative stated. “We are responding to their comments appropriately.” The US move to delay or reject Macron’s candidate would be highly unusual and could deepen the rift between allies who have recently clashed over tariffs and the war in Iran.
Emmanuel Macron submitted the necessary documents for the appointment of Aurelien Lechevallier, a former Elysee Palace advisor who is currently the chief of staff to Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, as the next French ambassador to Washington. France hoped he would be appointed by September, according to one of the sources. However, the process encountered difficulties after the post by the French mission to the UN in Geneva on platform X.
In the post published on Saturday, the mission criticized Washington for joining Russia, North Korea, and seven other countries in voting against a proposal to extend the mandate of Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, for another four years. Turk is an outspoken critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza and has also called for an investigation into deaths in US immigrant detention facilities. “The US was once a beacon of human rights. No longer,” the French mission wrote. “The world no longer listens to them.” One of the sources noted that the post was reviewed and approved through official channels, dismissing suggestions that it was the work of a junior staff member acting independently.
Deteriorating relations
Tensions escalated on Monday when the US delegation walked out of a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine during France’s speech, accusing its ally of “insincere posturing.” France’s support for renewing Turk‘s mandate “does not preclude close dialogue with the United States,” a French diplomatic official stated. “Differences of opinion on voting do not call into question the quality of our relations or our ability to work together,” the official added.
France has been a long-standing ally of the US, but relations have deteriorated during Donald Trump‘s second term. Although Trump and Macron communicate regularly, this has not prevented the US president from imposing tariffs on France, accusing European governments of suppressing right-wing voices, and threatening NATO allies over defense spending and Greenland.
Even before the latest dispute, Washington was irritated by public comments from Jean-Noel Barrot about the US government, according to one of the sources. Earlier this month, Barrot posted on platform X about a State Department program offering up to $3 million in funding to groups promoting “civilizational self-confidence” in Europe. The funding was offered by the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), whose officials last year proposed support for far-right leader Marine Le Pen during her trial for misappropriation of funds. “France and Europeans will not tolerate any attempts at foreign interference in their electoral processes, regardless of where they come from,” Barrot wrote.
French officials were also irritated by the US ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, who embodies a new type of brash diplomat espousing the “America First” principle and causing concern across Europe. Kushner, whose son Jared is married to Trump‘s daughter Ivanka, twice failed to appear for summons in Paris following diplomatic incidents.
Macron’s plan for loyalists
The process of appointing an ambassador to Washington is clearly regulated. Before a foreign government can appoint its envoy, it must first obtain the confidential consent of the US government. Washington rarely delays or publicly rejects candidates, according to diplomatic sources, as concerns are usually resolved privately before an official decision is made.
Critics argue that the recent wave of nominations and appointments by Emmanuel Macron to key positions is part of an effort to install loyal individuals who can secure his legacy and guard against a potential far-right victory in next year’s elections. Macron, whose approval ratings remain low, cannot run again in 2027.
In recent months, he has appointed his former chief of staff Emmanuel Moulin as head of the Bank of France, while Richard Ferrand was elected to lead the Constitutional Council, and Amelie de Montchalin to head the Court of Auditors (Cour des Comptes), which certifies government accounts. All are key allies of Macron. The Elysee Palace did not provide immediate comments on this criticism.
