Hegseth attacks Europe over 'invasion' of migrants on its beaches in D-Day speech
Summary
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized European countries for their handling of migrant arrivals during a speech in Normandy on the 82nd anniversary of D-Day. He called the migrants an "invasion" and urged European leaders to take stronger action to protect their freedoms.Key Facts
- Pete Hegseth gave a speech in Normandy, France, marking 82 years since the D-Day landings in World War II.
- Hegseth described migrant arrivals on European beaches as an "invasion" and highlighted ports in Spain, Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria.
- Migration has been a major political issue in Europe, with sea arrivals peaking in 2015 at over one million people crossing the Mediterranean.
- From April 2025 to March 2026, about 169,341 sea migrants arrived in the UK, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Cyprus; 23% came to the UK.
- Hegseth said European freedoms won in the war are at risk if leaders do not act on migration issues.
- US Vice-President JD Vance also criticized European migrant policies after a British student’s fatal stabbing, leading to a UK government response rejecting interference.
- President Donald Trump has previously criticized European countries for "uncontrolled migration," which UK leaders have pushed back against.
- The Trump administration’s National Security Strategy warned Europe could face "civilisational erasure" if migration trends continue.
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