Pentagon chief says Europe faces 'invasion' of dangerous ideologies

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned on Saturday that Europe faces what he described as an "invasion" of "dangerous ideologies" arriving by sea, comparing contemporary migration flows to the historic D-Day landings during a commemoration ceremony in Normandy.

Migration 'invasion' rhetoric

Speaking at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer to mark the 82nd anniversary of the Allied landings, Hegseth echoed the Trump administration's criticisms targeting Europe over migration. He argued that "different European beaches are stormed by different, dangerous ideologies," citing arrivals in Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria.

Complacency and freedom

"When will European capitals do something about that invasion or is it too late? I pray not, and I believe not," Hegseth said. According to a Defense Ministry statement, he underscored the necessity of Western nations resisting the "comfortable complacency" that has developed in recent decades. "We forgot that freedom is not free. We forgot that peace is not wished into being. It is bought with purpose, with honor and with strength," he added.

D-Day legacy

Hegseth noted that as the world faces an "increasingly complex threat environment," Washington applies the "lessons from 82 years ago learned on these beaches: strong allies, each fully committed to doing their part, win wars." The ceremony took place at the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach, where thousands of Allied troops landed on June 6, 1944, as the Trump administration continues to pressure NATO allies to increase defense spending while adopting stricter border controls.