France protests: 1,800 arrested as violence erupts in Paris and other cities

Violent protests across France on Saturday resulted in 1,800 arrests, widespread looting, and a historic town hall set ablaze, prompting US President Donald Trump to blame immigration and call for border closures. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed the arrests and said investigations are underway to bring perpetrators to justice. Paris saw a record number of detentions, with officials describing unprecedented violence, while hundreds of businesses were looted in cities including Marseille, Bordeaux, and Nice. The protests, sparked by cost-of-living concerns and school conditions, drew up to 800,000 participants. President Emmanuel Macron scheduled an emergency meeting and national address, while political leaders traded blame ahead of next spring's presidential election. Authorities attributed some violence to far-left groups, not immigrants.