Hegseth's D-Day Speech Turns Into Anti-Migration Rant, Sparks Outrage
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ignited fury by hijacking a D-Day commemoration to unleash an anti-migration tirade. His remarks during the 82nd anniversary of the Normandy landings in France drew a shocking parallel between the Allied forces' fight against Nazis and the current influx of migrants into Europe.
“Today, different European beaches are stormed by different dangerous ideologies,” Hegseth declared. He specifically mentioned Spain, Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria, framing the arrival of boats and men as an “invasion.” His inflammatory question, “When will European capitals do something about that invasion? Or is it too late?” left many aghast.
On ABC’s “This Week,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) slammed Hegseth’s comments as “inappropriate” and “out of place.” He emphasized that the focus should have been on honoring the 2,500 Americans who died during the operation, not on divisive political rhetoric.
McCaul insisted, “I think it should have been about their sacrifice, their service to their country, and what they did to protect the free world at a time of great peril against Nazi Germany.” He criticized Hegseth for straying from the traditional message of remembrance.
English historian Simon Schama didn’t hold back either. He labeled Hegseth’s comments as a “special kind of loathsomeness: a blend of historical deafness, grotesque stupidity and comically ludicrous self-importance.”
Schama further ridiculed Hegseth’s attempt to equate public anger over immigration with the monumental struggle against the Third Reich, stating, “As if the little people’s rage against immigration somehow is superior to the war against the 3rd Reich and entitles this comic book nobody to lecture the actual heroes.”
Prior to his remarks, locals in Colleville-sur-Mer expressed their disdain for Hegseth. The local association, Langrune en commun, demanded his appearance be canceled, condemning his “warlike statements,” “anti-European remarks,” and “American supremacist pronouncements,” according to France24.
