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US Defense Secretary calls for Europe to fight immigrant 'invasion' at D-Day event

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called for Europe to strengthen its defenses and combat what he termed an "invasion" of immigrants on European shores during a D-Day commemoration in France.
  • Hegseth spoke at the Normandy landing anniversary event, urging European nations to take concrete action against rising immigration, echoing concerns from the Trump administration about the impact on European civilization.
  • He emphasized the need for capable allies to stand with the U.S. in crises, stressing that peace is ensured through strength and preparedness, both militarily and politically.

During a D-Day commemoration in France, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth urged Europe to bolster its defenses and confront what he described as an "invasion" of immigrants arriving on its shores. Speaking at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer on the 82nd anniversary of the Normandy landings, Hegseth invoked the historical alliance of World War II.

Let us learn from the lessons of the past.

— Pete HegsethDuring his speech at the Normandy landing anniversary event.

"Let us learn from the lessons of the past," Hegseth stated, referencing the crucial role of American forces in the Allied invasion. He contrasted the past with a present where "different dangerous ideologies are crashing upon the shores of Europe every day." He pointed to arrivals in Spain, Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria, questioning when European nations would act against this "invasion" or if it would be too late.

the soldiers who lie here today participated in an alliance of, every partner... went all in on industry, on courage, on sacrifice. Not empty slogans, lavish summits, or communiques. Real allies do real things, take real losses for common ideals worth fighting and dying for.

— Pete HegsethContrasting historical alliances with current approaches.

Hegseth's remarks align with the Trump administration's ongoing criticism of Europe's defense contributions and its concerns about immigration. He stressed that while the U.S. would lead, "capable allies must also stand with us in crises when it matters." He asserted that "peace is assured through strength," a strength that requires operational readiness, shared military capabilities, and firm political will on both sides of the Atlantic.

Unfortunately, today different dangerous ideologies are crashing upon the shores of Europe every day.

— Pete HegsethDescribing the current immigration situation in Europe.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense's speech called for a return to the principles of genuine alliances, where partners commit fully through industrial, courageous, and sacrificial efforts, rather than relying on "empty slogans, lavish summits, or communiques." He advocated for allies to take "real losses" for shared ideals worth fighting and dying for, emphasizing that true allies do practical things.

When will the nations of Europe take action against that invasion? Or is it too late?

— Pete HegsethQuestioning Europe's response to immigration.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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