US reponds after French lawmaker demands Statue of Liberty's return
What's the story
The White House has said that it has no plans to return the Statue of Liberty after French lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann said that the US no longer deserves it.
The statue was gifted by France in 1884.
In response to Glucksmann's comments, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it's only because of the United States...that the French are not speaking German right now."
Politician's view
Glucksmann's discontent with US values
On March 16, Glucksmann expressed his disappointment with America for not living up to the values that the Statue of Liberty represents.
"We're going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: 'Give us back the Statue of Liberty,'" Glucksmann said.
"We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So, it will be just fine here at home," he said.
Rebuke
Glucksmann was criticizing the firing of federal employees
Glucksmann cited efforts by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce the federal workforce, including the dismissal of scientists, researchers, and public health professionals.
"If you want to fire your best researchers, if you want to fire all the people who, through their freedom and their sense of innovations, their taste for doubt and research, have made your country the world's leading power, then we're going to welcome them," Glucksmann said, according to AFP.
Monument's history
Statue of Liberty: A symbol of freedom and hope
The Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom, inspiration and hope was officially unveiled in New York on October 28, 1886.
The crown represents light with its spikes evoking sun rays extending out to the world.
The tablet is inscribed with July 4, 1776 in Roman numerals, noting American independence, and French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi placed broken shackle and chains at the statue's foot to symbolize the end of slavery.