US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has sparked outrage after using a D-day anniversary speech to draw parallels between the World War II invasion of Normandy and modern-day immigration to Europe. Speaking at the American military cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer on Saturday, Hegseth claimed that European beaches were being "stormed" by migrants, an assertion that historians and rights campaigners have condemned as a desecration of the soldiers' memory.
Hegseth’s Remarks at the Ceremony
Addressing attendees at the 82nd anniversary of the D-day landings, Hegseth said: "Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different, dangerous ideologies. Beaches in Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria, boats and men arrive. When will European capitals do something about that invasion, or is it too late?" He added that the soldiers who fought and died in Normandy restored freedom to Europe, which must be maintained by current leaders.
The speech was immediately met with criticism on social media. Historian Simon Schama described it as "a special kind of loathsomeness: a blend of historical deafness, grotesque stupidity and comically ludicrous self-importance." Schama further accused Hegseth of lecturing "the actual heroes" with a "comic book nobody" persona.
International Backlash
Israeli human rights lawyer Daniel Seidemann called the remarks "an obscene desecration of the memories of those who stormed the beaches of Normandy." Swedish economist Anders Åslund highlighted the hypocrisy, noting Hegseth's later pledge to stand by allies while attacking their immigration policies. "Doesn’t Hegseth know that the most unreliable ‘ally’ by far is the US?" Åslund wrote, referencing Hegseth's decision to skip a key Nato meeting and Donald Trump's plans to reduce US troops in Europe.
Hegseth's comments echo those of other US officials, including Trump, who have criticized European migration despite the US having a higher proportion of foreign-born residents. Earlier on Saturday, Vice-President JD Vance linked immigration to the murder of British student Henry Nowak, though Nowak's killer was a British-born Sikh. UK Justice Secretary David Lammy said he corrected Vance, stating: "This has got nothing to do with mass migration. This young man was a Brit."
Pre-Visit Controversy
Hegseth’s trip to France had already stirred controversy. The Langrune en Commun association called for its cancellation, citing Hegseth's promotion of "values that go against democracy, human rights and peace." Member Chantal Richard told BFMTV: "What’s happening with the Trump administration isn’t business as usual. He must be called out for who he is, for the values he represents: colonial, warmongering, racist, far-right values."
The speech has intensified debates over the Trump administration's stance on Europe, with critics arguing that Hegseth's rhetoric undermines the legacy of D-day and strains transatlantic relations.
