Marine Le Pen’s conviction for misappropriation of public funds has led to a wave of threats against the judges involved, with their identities and personal details shared online. Sentenced to a five-year disqualification and four years in prison, Le Pen criticized the ruling as politically motivated. Authorities condemned the threats, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence. Increased police presence around judges’ homes and an ongoing investigation follow these alarming developments, reflecting a troubling trend in responses to judicial decisions.
Immediate Fallout from Marine Le Pen’s Conviction
Following a controversial ruling, intense reactions emerged swiftly. On Monday at 1:15 PM, the Paris correctional court announced its verdict against Marine Le Pen for the misappropriation of public funds. This decision triggered a torrent of threats directed at the president of the 11th chamber and the two prosecutors involved, flooding social media with hostile messages.
Marine Le Pen was sentenced to a five-year disqualification from holding office, effective immediately, alongside a four-year prison term, of which two years must be served electronically. Consequently, the leader of the National Rally finds herself unable to participate in the presidential election of 2027, unless her appeal is resolved before the elections.
Threats and Condemnation Sparked by Ruling
In a retaliatory move, the identities of the judges were shared online, with images of the 11th chamber’s president disseminated alongside derogatory remarks and threats. Personal details, including part of her address, were also circulated. Notable comments on social media included calls for retribution against the judges, with phrases like “We need to judge the judge” and “I have her address if you want to pay her a little visit” surfacing on platform X.
The three judges have been labeled on X as “the three vermin who decided 2027 instead of the citizens” and depicted as “the three judges who assassinated Marine Le Pen.” One user passionately declared, “The prosecutors and the president will have to answer for it; no forgetting, no forgiveness.”
In response to these alarming threats, authorities swiftly condemned the behavior. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin described the threats against the magistrates as “unacceptable in a democracy and concerning for the independence of the judicial authority.” The Superior Council of the Judiciary expressed serious concern over the hostile reactions, warning that they could jeopardize the judicial system’s independence, which is essential for upholding the rule of law.
Jacques Boulard, the first president of the Paris Court of Appeal, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that personal attacks against judges in response to a ruling are unacceptable in a democratic society. The Magistrates’ Union also denounced these aggressive tactics, labeling them as intolerable within the framework of a fair legal system.
Marine Le Pen, in an interview shortly after the ruling, decried the decision as politically motivated, calling it a “dark day for our democracy.” While acknowledging the threats against the judges as “scandalous,” she noted that such incidents had regrettably become commonplace.
In the wake of these threats, police presence around the judges’ residences has been heightened, and an investigation has been initiated by the Paris prosecutor’s office. This is not an isolated incident, as a prior investigation was launched in January 2025 due to death threats aimed at the judges involved in a separate case against the National Rally concerning the embezzlement of European funds.