Dem 2028 hopeful sparks backlash over France riot comments as critic says he wants to ride the rage wave

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a potential 2028 presidential contender, drew criticism from across the political spectrum after pointing to the riots in France as a warning about wealth inequality and urging the U.S. to "listen to our young."

"This is what happens when the nations let wealth and power accumulate in the hands of a few," Khanna wrote in a post to X on Sunday evening.

Khanna's post comes on the heels of nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living and public services that descended into violence, looting and arson in several French cities on Saturday, prompting critics to accuse the progressive Democrat of giving political legitimacy to the destruction.

Spencer Pratt, former mayoral candidate for Los Angeles, blasted what he saw as an attempt to side with rioters.

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"Of course Rohit Conman sees mass communist riots destroying businesses and historic buildings in Paris and lies about it as some noble ask for justice," Pratt wrote.

"These commies lie as easily as they breathe."

The comment also drew criticism from Shannon Watts, a Democratic gun activist who, in recent months, has criticized the far-left portions of her party.

"If youre a member of Congress who condemned the January 6 insurrection, you dont get to excuse riots in France as a cry for help. Political violence doesnt become acceptable just because you sympathize with people committing it," Watts wrote in a post of her own.

Still others warned Khanna against using the moment as a way to build political momentum.

"Ro Khanna has long sought to ride the rage wave to power," Jonathan Turley, a political commentator and legal analyst, said.

"Khanna could indeed learn much from France. This is history repeating itself. That history, by the way, does not bode well for establishment figures who pander to the mob," Turley added, giving a nod to the infamous French Revolution that targeted the countrys political and financial elite in a bloody crusade.

Planned demonstrations in France over the weekend quickly spiraled out of control on Saturday, leaving behind broken storefronts and fires in Paris.

French authorities said that by Sunday evening they had arrested nearly 2,400 people nationwide, including 855 in the Paris region. Nearly 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured, seven seriously, according to France's Interior Ministry. One protester died after suffering cardiac arrest during demonstrations in Paris, authorities said.

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In Limoges, a fire that authorities said was deliberately set at the city hall caused significant damage to the historic building. Shops were looted in Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon and other cities, while public buildings were vandalized or targeted by fires.

Authorities estimated that more than 550,000 people participated in demonstrations across France. Organizers put the figure at roughly 800