• Charles Kushner confirmed as US ambassador to France with a 51-45 vote.
• The nomination received support from New Jersey Senator Cory Booker.
• Kushner has a criminal past, including a conviction for tax evasion and witness tampering.
• He was pardoned by Trump in 2020, who cited his charitable work as a reason.
• Kushner aims to strengthen US-France relations amid current geopolitical tensions.

The US Senate has confirmed Charles Kushner, father-in-law of former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as the ambassador to France. Kushner's confirmation was secured with a vote of 51-45, with a notable endorsement from New Jersey Senator Cory Booker. In his testimony during the confirmation hearing, Kushner expressed gratitude for Booker’s "special and close friendship" HuffPost and IndiaTimes.

Kushner, who is also the founder of Kushner Companies, faced pointed questions regarding his criminal history during the confirmation hearing. In 2005, he was sentenced to two years in prison for tax evasion and witness tampering, offenses he ultimately acknowledged as serious mistakes. He stated, "I made a very, very, very serious mistake, and I paid a very heavy price for that mistake" Le Monde, HuffPost, and IndiaTimes.

Trump himself had previously pardoned Kushner in December 2020, citing his extensive charitable activities as justification for clemency. Critics have highlighted that Kushner’s criminal past includes a scheme involving intimidation and revenge against a cooperating witness, along with various election-related offenses, bringing forth scrutiny of his qualifications for the ambassadorial role IndiaTimes and Le Monde.

As he takes on his new role, Kushner will navigate strained relations between the US and its European allies, partially due to Trump's contentious policies, including regarding trade and security commitments in response to the Ukraine crisis. He has expressed intentions to foster a “greater balance” in the economic relationship with France and to advocate for increased European defense investments, recognizing the historical ties shared between the nations HuffPost, IndiaTimes, and Le Monde.