U.S. Defense Secretary Warns of Migration 'Invasion' During D-Day Commemoration
At a ceremony in Normandy, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Europe faces an "invasion" of migrants and urged European capitals to act, echoing language from the U.S. national security strategy.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a speech at the Normandy American Cemetery on the 82nd anniversary of D-Day to criticize European migration policies. He said that "different European beaches are stormed by different dangerous ideologies" and asked when European capitals would respond to what he called an "invasion."
Hegseth praised the sacrifices of American troops and reiterated the principle that "freedom is not free," but added that many European nations have become "comfortable" with current migration trends. His remarks align with the United States' updated national security strategy, which warns that Europe could become "unrecognizable" due to migration policies that allegedly undermine national identities.
The comments were made as the European Union's border agency, Frontex, reported a continued decline in unauthorized border crossings. Earlier in the week, Vice President JD Vance also criticized European migration policies on social media, linking a recent killing in England to a "mass invasion of migrants," a statement that was condemned by the British government.
Hegseth's remarks were delivered at a ceremony honoring the nearly 9,400 American soldiers buried at the site, most of whom died during the 1944 invasion and subsequent operations.