US’ Hegseth, at D-Day event, says Europe faces ‘invasion’ of dangerous ideologies
· The Straits Times- US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Europe faces an "invasion of dangerous ideologies" via sea immigration during D-Day commemorations.
- Hegseth linked immigration to D-Day, echoing US criticism of Europe's weak defences and failure to control borders, citing a "civilisational erasure" warning.
- These US statements are prompting European capitals to rethink their reliance on US technology and defence, altering post-war assumptions about the alliance.
PARIS - US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned on June 6 that Europe faced what he called an invasion of dangerous ideologies arriving by sea, linking immigration to the legacy of the D-Day landings in remarks in Normandy.
His remarks echo criticisms often made by the administration of President Donald Trump about Europe, a region Washington argues is hampered by weak defences, inability to tackle immigration, needless red tape and “censorship” of far-right and nationalist voices to keep them from power.
“Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different, dangerous ideologies. Beaches in Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria, boats and men arrive,” Hegseth said, in a speech at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer.
“When will European capitals do something about that invasion or is it too late? I pray not, and I believe not,” he said.
Hegseth was speaking during commemorations for the 82nd anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, when US and Allied forces crossed the English Channel to launch the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
US officials, including Trump - and Vice-President J.D. Vance as recently as June 5 - have often criticised European countries for failing to control immigration.
A US National Security Strategy document issued in 2025 warned Europe faced “civilisational erasure” and must course-correct if it is to remain a reliable US ally.
That document - and other comments by senior Trump officials - have upended post-war assumptions about Europe’s close relationship with its strongest ally, and concentrated minds across European capitals on the urgent need to diversify away from reliance on US technology and defence. REUTERS