U.S. Defense Secretary Hergsays, speaking at a Normandy landings commemoration event in France, brought up the current issue of maritime migration in Europe, drawing attention to the widening political divide between the U.S. and Europe. His remarks also continued the Trump administration's recent critical rhetoric regarding borders, immigration, and the European political environment.
Speaking of "invasion" at commemorative occasions
Speaking at the Normandy American Cemetery on the coast of Colève, in northwestern France, Hegses said that "different European beaches are now being assaulted by different dangerous ideologies." He then named Spain, Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria, saying, "Ships and people are arriving."
He pressed further, asking "when will the European capitals take action against this invasion?" Although he did not use the word "immigrant" directly, his remarks clearly referred to the issue of seaborne immigration into Europe.
Continuing the Trump administration's criticism of Europe
The report points out that this statement aligns with the Trump administration's broader stance on Europe. Washington has recently criticized Europe's practices on immigration, border management, and restrictions on nationalist and far-right voices.
Against this backdrop, Hegses connects the WWII commemoration with current European political issues, sending a clearer political signal. His core argument is that the freedom won by the Allies may not be permanently secure without sustained defense.
The UK side simultaneously refuted these claims.
On the same day, British Prime Minister Starmer's office condemned US Vice President Vance's comments regarding immigration in connection with a murder in Britain. Vance had linked the assassination of an 18-year-old British student in Southampton to immigration issues, but reports indicate that both the victim and the perpetrator were British.
According to other reports, the Trump administration's National Security Strategy, released last December, warned that Europe faces the prospect of "civilization being wiped out," and stated that Europe could become "unrecognizable" within 20 years. This also shows that immigration has become a recurring theme in the Trump administration's policy statements toward Europe.
