Typically in France, defendants can have their punishment temporarily lifted by appealing a verdict, when they return to being presumed innocent. But the court made the rare — though not unprecedented — decision that Le Pen’s crimes were so grave and the risk of recidivism so high that her ban should be handed down immediately. Her appeal is slated for 2026.
Samson, a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, according to his LinkedIn profile, is one of several young conservatives to join the State Department’s ranks since Trump’s return to the White House in January.
Earlier this year he wrote an article for the State Department Substack titled “The Need for Civilizational Allies in Europe” in which he waxed lyrical about natural law while calling on Europe to reclaim “Western heritage.”
Samson, like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, criticized Germany’s decision to label the far-right Alternative for Germany party as an “extremist” organization and reiterated Trump administration diatribes accusing Europe of cracking down on free speech rights. He also slammed pushback on “Christian nations” such as Hungary.
Samson’s efforts are reflective of the Trump administration’s efforts to support aligned political movements around the world and boost friendly governments. Trump administration officials have routinely chided Europe for overstepping in their efforts against the far right, while turning an eye to the human rights abuses of allies in El Salvador and Argentina.
The office in which Samson works, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor was created to “advance American security by promoting respect for human rights, bolstering democratic institutions, empowering civil society, promoting and protecting freedom of expression and upholding internationally recognized worker rights.”