During ceremonies marking the 82nd anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, Pentagon chief Pete Hegsethfocused not only on the history of World War II. The American politician compared contemporary migration to Europe to the threats Western nations faced decades ago. “When will the European capitals do something about this invasion?” he asked during a ceremony at the American military cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. At the same time, he called on European allies to take greater responsibility for security and defense matters.
Speaking at the American military cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Hegseth recalled that during World War II the Allies formed a genuine alliance in which, as he put it, “every partner brought its full measure of industry, courage, and sacrifice.” He added that this cooperation was based on concrete actions rather than “empty slogans, lavish summits, and communiqués.”
“Real allies do real things. They bear real costs for a common cause worth fighting and dying for,” he said.
He added that the United States “should lead the way and will do so.”
“But our allies should stand with us, shoulder to shoulder,” he stressed.
During the Normandy anniversary commemorations, the Pentagon chief compared those historic events to the modern phenomenon of immigration.
“Today, unfortunately, different beaches across Europe are being assaulted by other dangerous ideologies. Boats and people are arriving on the shores of Spain, Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria. When will the European capitals do something about this invasion — or is it already too late?” Hegseth said.
The news agency Reuters noted that the remarks echoed earlier criticism from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump directed at Europe, which Washington views as having weak defenses, excessive bureaucracy, and insufficient measures to combat illegal immigration.
At the Normandy ceremony, Hegseth also stated that “peace is secured only through strength,” without explicitly referring to the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel against Iran.
“On both sides of the Atlantic, we have strength reinforced by readiness, shared military capabilities, and unwavering political will,” the Pentagon chief assured.
Hegseth had been expected to attend an international ceremony on Saturday afternoon alongside French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu and British Defence Secretary John Healey. However, he withdrew from that event and appeared only at the American commemorations in Colleville-sur-Mer.
During World War II, D-Day — June 6, 1944 — marked the first day of Operation Overlord, during which Western Allies from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other nations established beachheads in occupied France and opened a second front in Europe.