Marine Le Pen Presents a Well-Rehearsed Defense in National Rally Assistants Trial

On January 20, 2026, Marine Le Pen, president of the National Rally (RN) deputies, delivered a carefully prepared argument during the first day of her interrogation in the trial concerning the alleged misuse of parliamentary assistants at the National Rally. The hearing took place at the Paris Court of Appeal. Earlier that day, Julien Odoul, a deputy from Yonne, was also heard by the court. Le Pen expressed discomfort with the term "system," suggesting she felt manipulated by the narrative surrounding the case. This testimony is particularly notable as Le Pen is positioning herself as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election, making the trial a significant moment in her political journey. The hearing underscores the ongoing scrutiny of the RN's use of parliamentary assistants and marks an important chapter in the continuing legal and political controversy around the party's funding practices.