His actions on arriving in the United States led to a major political and international incident, which was termed the Citizen Genêt affair.

He was the ninth and final child of a French civil servant, Edmond Jacques Genêt (1726–1781), who was a head clerk in the ministry of foreign affairs.

Over time, Genêt became disenchanted with the ancien régime, learning to despise not just the French monarchy but all monarchical systems, including Tsarist Russia under Catherine the Great.

"[citation needed] The same year, the Girondins rose to power in France and appointed Genêt to the post of minister to the United States.

The Citizen Genêt affair began in 1793 when he was dispatched to the United States to promote American support for France's wars with Spain and Britain.

Working with French consul Michel Ange Bernard Mangourit, Genêt organized American volunteers to fight Britain's Spanish allies in Florida.

Genêt continued to defy the wishes of the United States government, capturing British ships and rearming them as privateers.

Hamilton, Genêt's fiercest opponent in the cabinet, convinced Washington to grant him safe haven in the United States.

Playing to a northeastern audience, Genêt continued that, judging by Jefferson's glorification of an agricultural lifestyle in Notes on the State of Virginia, the Embargo was also acting as a covert means to destroy New England's commercial heritage.

Genêt lived on a farm he called Prospect Hill located in East Greenbush, New York, overlooking the Hudson River.