Residents of French village say US Defense Secretary Hegseth not welcome for D-Day visit
Summary
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Normandy on June 6, 2026, to mark the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings but did not attend the main international ceremony in Langrune-sur-Mer. Some local residents said his views were not welcome and criticized his statements on democracy and migrants.Key Facts
- Pete Hegseth spoke at the American military cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer but skipped the main D-Day ceremony in Langrune-sur-Mer.
- Residents of Langrune-sur-Mer criticized Hegseth for having "warlike views" and opposing democratic values.
- A local group called for canceling his visit, accusing him of anti-European and supremacist remarks.
- Langrune-sur-Mer’s mayor chose not to comment politically, focusing on honoring the D-Day soldiers.
- French and British officials also attended, paying tribute to the young soldiers who died on D-Day.
- Hegseth accused Europe of facing a migrant "invasion" and urged European countries to increase their defense efforts.
- European defense spending has been rising to meet new security challenges.
- The Normandy landings in 1944 involved nearly 7,000 ships and over 130,000 troops from several Allied nations, crucial in defeating Nazi Germany.
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