Hegseth Links D-Day Legacy to Europe's Immigration and Ideological Threats
U.S. Defense Secretary Warns of New Threats to Europe During D-Day Commemoration
Hegseth's Remarks on Immigration and Ideological Invasion
PARIS, June 6 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned on Saturday that Europe faced what he called an invasion of dangerous ideologies arriving by sea, linking immigration to the legacy of the D-Day landings in remarks in Normandy.
His remarks echo criticisms often made by the administration of President Donald Trump about Europe, a region Washington argues is hampered by weak defences, inability to tackle immigration, needless red tape and "censorship" of far-right and nationalist voices to keep them from power.
Comparisons to D-Day Landings
"Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different, dangerous ideologies. Beaches in Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria, boats and men arrive," Hegseth said in a speech at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer.
"When will European capitals do something about that invasion or is it too late? I pray not, and I believe not," he said.
Historical Context and U.S. Criticism of Europe
D-Day Anniversary and Allied Legacy
Hegseth was speaking during commemorations for the 82nd anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, when U.S. and Allied forces crossed the English Channel to launch the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
Ongoing Criticism of European Immigration Policies
U.S. officials, including Trump -- and Vice President JD Vance as recently as Friday -- have often criticized European countries for failing to control immigration.
U.S. National Security Strategy and European Relations
A U.S. National Security Strategy document issued last year warned Europe faced "civilizational erasure" and must course-correct if it is to remain a reliable U.S. ally.
That document - and other comments by senior Trump officials - have upended postwar assumptions about Europe's close relationship with its strongest ally, and concentrated minds across European capitals on the urgent need to diversify away from reliance on U.S. technology and defence.
(Reporting by Kokkai Ng, Writing by Sybille de La Hamaide, Editing by William Maclean)
