U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for French far-right leader Marine Le Pen after a Paris court convicted her and other members of her National Rally party of embezzling EU funds.

Le Pen was handed a five-year ban on running for office, potentially barring her from the 2027 presidential election unless she successfully appeals.

Trump criticized the case, calling it a “Witch Hunt” and likening it to his own legal troubles.

He described her conviction as a minor charge and a “bookkeeping error,” while drawing comparisons between Le Pen’s and his own politically motivated legal challenges, NBC News has reported.

Le Pen’s conviction is a setback in her presidential bid.

Written by B.C. Begley