The Secretary of Defense of the United States, Pete Hegseth, urged European countries this Saturday to act against what he called an “invasion” linked to the arrival of migrants by sea.
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The statements were made during a commemorative event for the 82nd anniversary of the Normandy landings, at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, next to Omaha Beach.
“Unfortunately, today other European beaches are being assaulted by dangerous ideologies. In Spain, Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria, ships and men are arriving,” Hegseth stated.
Along these lines, the Pentagon chief asked: “When will European capitals do something about this invasion? Or is it too late?”
Hegseth made these statements at a ceremony dedicated to remembering the Allied landing on June 6, 1944, a military operation that marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation during World War II.
The Secretary of Defense’s speech is part of the recurring criticism from the Donald Trump administration towards European countries, especially regarding their migration policies, border control, and defense spending.
During his speech, Hegseth maintained that peace can only be guaranteed through force, shared military capabilities, and political will on both sides of the Atlantic.
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“The world is safer and more prosperous when the United States and its allies are strong and unhesitatingly defend their Western values and freedoms,” he noted.
The official added that, although the United States leads, he expects its allies to “step up” and act “shoulder to shoulder” when necessary.
Hegseth also questioned what he described as a complacent attitude from the West since the end of World War II.
“We have become complacent. We have forgotten that freedom is not free and that peace is not simply wished for: it is built with will, honor, and strength,” he maintained.
In recent security documents, the Trump administration has stated that Europe must correct its course to remain a reliable ally of the United States.
Hegseth’s words were spoken in a highly symbolic setting, where thousands of American soldiers killed during the Battle of Normandy are remembered for their role in the European liberation.
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