Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a D-Day anniversary speech to accuse European nations of failing to secure their borders against what he called an “invasion” of migrants.
The remarks align closely with long-standing Trump administration positions on immigration in Europe. They also echo the rhetoric used by European far-right political parties.
Hegseth delivered the speech at a ceremony commemorating the 1944 Allied landings in Normandy. He argued that the current migration crisis threatens the same freedoms Allied forces fought to defend.
The defense secretary did not name specific European countries during his criticism. However, his comments were seen as a direct rebuke of European Union migration policies.
This is not the first time a senior U.S. official has used charged language to describe migration patterns in Europe. Previous Trump administration officials made similar statements during international summits.
European leaders have largely dismissed the characterization of migration as an invasion. They point to declining irregular border crossings in recent years as evidence of effective controls.
The speech has sparked debate among NATO allies about the definition of security threats. Some member states view migration primarily as a humanitarian issue rather than a military one.
Hegseth’s remarks also highlight ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Europe over burden-sharing in defense and border management. The alliance continues to navigate these disagreements ahead of upcoming NATO meetings.
