I asked why he thought a French senator’s words on Mr. Trump had such a global impact: “Never before,” Mr. Malhuret said in his speech, has any president “issued so many illegal decrees, dismissed judges who could oppose him, sacked the entire military leadership in one go, weakened all counter powers and taken control of social media. This is not a mere illiberal drift. It is the beginning of the seizure of democracy.” Mr. Malhuret reflected for a long moment, before saying: “The Republicans are scared, the Democrats are stunned and leaderless, but I cannot imagine there will not be a reaction. The American people are facing one of the great challenges of the 21st century, as great as that confronting the French in 1940, when they had to decide whether to join the Resistance or not.”

 

A Cutting French Senator Becomes Trump’s European Nemesis

In biting verbal assaults viewed by millions, Claude Malhuret has issued a scathing critique of the American president, bringing a lifetime of experience to bear.

By Roger Cohen

Reporting from Vichy, France