Overview
- An official decree published in France’s Journal Officiel naturalized George Clooney, Amal Clooney, and their twin children.
- President Donald Trump mocked the couple on Truth Social and tied their naturalization to his criticism of France’s immigration policies, alleging a crime problem.
- The decree appeared just before Jan. 1 rules raised language standards and added a civics test for applicants, while French law allows naturalization by decree for notable contributions.
- Deputy Interior Minister Marie-Pierre Vedrenne said she understood public frustration over perceived double standards, as Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and the Foreign Ministry defended the decision.
- The Clooneys bought an estate in Brignoles in 2021 and spend part of the year there; Clooney retains his U.S. citizenship under French dual-nationality rules.