Hegseth at Normandy
Pete (Fox News) Hegseth gave a speech at the 82nd anniversary of D-Day. As I have often mentioned, my other half’s father was a Bedford Boy and was in the first waves at Omaha Beach. So I was especially interested in Hegseth’s remarks – given that he is my least favorite of Trump’s cabinet. Well his speech was covered very differently by the media. While it was reported in glowing patriotic terms by the rightwing press, such was not the case with the European media. In fact, it stirred up a hornet’s nest on the continent a fact ignored by Trump’s news outlets here.
Hegseth took the occasion to criticize European nations over illegal migration for allowing what he described as an “invasion” on their shores during the speech. The Europeans had a proverbial cow and did not report any other part of his speech. Hegseth said “Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different dangerous ideologies. Beaches in Spain, in Italy, in Greece and Bulgaria. Boats and men arrive. When will European capitals do something about that invasion?” Hegseth said that in the years since D-Day some European capitals have grown too “comfortable” with their hard-fought freedoms, forgetting that “freedom is not free”. “The men who fought and died here restored freedom to Europe. That freedom must be maintained by this generation of leaders and war fighters or what they fought for was merely temporary.”
The European press was not pleased. The Guardian reported that Hegseth was accused by European historians of “grotesque stupidity” and desecrating the memory of the soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy after he sought to link immigration to the D-day anniversary, saying Europe was facing a different “invasion” of its shores.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/07/pete-hegseth-d-day-speech-immigration-grotesque-stupidity
The British historian Simon Schama described the remarks as a “special kind of loathsomeness: a blend of historical deafness, grotesque stupidity and comically ludicrous self-importance”. “As if the little people’s rage against immigration somehow is superior to the war against the 3rd Reich and entitles this comic book nobody to lecture the actual heroes.” [Don’t you love the command of the English language by the English?}
Here are more comments from the Guardian. Israeli lawyer Daniel Seidemann said “This is an obscene desecration of the memories of those who
stormed the beaches of Normandy, and especially of those who fell.” Anders Åslund, a Swedish economist contrasted the comments with Hegseth’s later remarks on the US standing alongside its allies. “So much nonsense,” he wrote on social media. “‘We stand by our allies!’ No you don’t. You just attacked them. Immigration policies are internal matters.” Åslund said Hegseth’s comments were particularly “clueless” given his recent decision to skip a key NATO meeting and Donald Trump’s vows to cut the number of troops in Europe. “Doesn’t Hegseth know that the most unreliable ‘ally’ by far is the US?”
This reporting is in stark contrast to the coverage of the event by the Trump mouthpiece Red State where never a word of criticism of anything Trump or Trump related is printed. This publication is as biased as anything on the left. You can read it for yourself. The is no mention of Hegseth’s remarks on immigration. “Hegseth Remembers Those Who Fought During 82nd D-Day Commemoration at Normandy”
https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2026/06/06/hegseth-marks-d-day-anniversary-n2203110
Also, it is apparent that Hegseth decided to go off script and join others in the administration (JD Vance) at lecturing the Europeans on their own soil because the official remarks from the Department of Defense made no mention of illegal immigration. So I guess Red State only looked at the official release from the Department of Defense and did not actually cover the event itself. You may read the speech at https://www.war.gov/News/Speeches/Speech/Article/4208765/remarks-by-secretary-of-defense-pete-hegseth-at-the-81st-d-day-landings-anniver/
Here are the last two paragraphs.
“Our world is a better place when Europe and America are strong, free, and independent. France understands this well and so do the men buried here, and so do the men sitting before me. Our nations together have endured a bond intertwined by history and we share this hallowed ground underneath our feet dedicated and consecrated by the blood of our heroes.
Our moment today is an echo. It’s an echo of theirs and may we live worthy of them. It is truly one of the honors of a lifetime to commemorate the sacrifices of D-Day and celebrate the freedoms of our two nations. God bless you all and may God bless our warriors. Thank you.”
haroldblackphd.com 
I guess the truth found a difficult place to lodge in Europe. The reason why it was home to two WWs in the first place.
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You are probably right. I am no student of warfare and thought that if you put that many different tribes into such a compact space that wars invariably happen. Alliances cause them to spill over into greater areas. Have you read Phillip Bobbitt’s “The Shield of Achillles”? It is the most dense book (you have to ponder every sentence) that I have read in years. But provides insights into European conflicts.
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The last two paragraphs ring relevant, poignant and true – delivered with eloquence.
Our modern day political laureates seem to often confuse being right with being effective. The adage of “challenge privately, support publicly” has eroded with the era of Trump. The tough task of statesmanship has been set aside, in favor of bullies who think they’ll always have enough money, power and leverage to win every argument or battle.
Then come to unexpected “Straits of Hormuz.” Arrogance is fully blossomed when strategic inconveniences show up unexpectedly (even when they should have been fully anticipated). Trump is being humbled on the world stage – and our country’s allies quietly cheer and chortle.
That’s not to say the essence of Hegseth and Vance’s arguments lack merit. In fact – I think they have much merit. But nobody tolerates a guest who shows up and gripes that the eggs were cold or overcooked at breakfast, and that we aren’t raising our kids well.
Challenge close friends privately and courteously, and support them publicly. Or brace yourself.
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The last two paragraphs ring relevant, poignant and true – delivered with eloquence.
Our modern day political laureates seem to often confuse being right with being effective. The adage of “challenge privately, support publicly” has eroded with the era of Trump. The tough task of statesmanship has been set aside, in favor of bullies who think they’ll always have enough money, power and leverage to win every argument or battle.
Then come to unexpected “Straits of Hormuz.” Arrogance is fully blossomed when strategic inconveniences show up unexpectedly (even when they should have been fully anticipated). Trump is being humbled on the world stage – and our country’s allies quietly cheer and chortle.
That’s not to say the essence of Hegseth and Vance’s arguments lack merit. In fact – I think they have much merit. But nobody tolerates a guest who shows up and gripes that the eggs were cold or overcooked at breakfast, and that we aren’t raising our kids well.
Challenge close friends privately and courteously, and support them publicly. Or brace yourself.
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Well said all especially the second paragraph. This administration eschews diplomacy and has created adversaries out of friends.
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When I saw your picture with Reagan in a prev post, it reminded me of some things I admire about the man- and that you met him..
But Today’s essay brought my mind back to controversy with of Bergen-Belsen. With all of Congress, Prominent Jews , and German citizens, Reagan insisted on visiting the site of SS officers:
“It’s a free country”.
“ No one remembers the concentration camps”..
With help fm a speech writer & NANCY & Billy Graham & superglue- a fantastic visit with various newly planned stops, saved the day…
Hegseth sticks to a general platform, like Reagan. But there are no diplomatic writers- altho the speech appealed to me..
But it would also be OK to have Reagan’s resources : a protective wife , a spiritual advisor who gives advice…
BUT be assured that Hegseth said what he said, because there is a citizenry that make up and could be the anti- Muslim majority. And I think- in the name of right-wing European institutional racism- the past still influences some people who would object to Hegseth’s ..
….”It’s also an awe-inspiring sight to see the American flag flying here above thousands of crosses and *stars *
as a tribute to our very best…”
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One my readers had the following comments: Hegseth’s theme: Western Civilization hung in the balance. He could have merely mouthed maudlin memorials. Fair for the occasion, predictable, vapid. Instead, he (implicitly) repeats the warning that our civilization hangs in the balance today, and calls today’s same allies to “full measure” alliances–not words, slogan, summits. He identifies that 1) there is a breach and 2) calls our allies to volunteer to go into the “Forlorn Hope” (my words, not his). I like that he praised the “unbreakable will of the American fighting man” and calls our allies out of complacency and into “active” vigilance. Reality: The Europeans have lost sight of what Western Civilization is and, thus, they lack the will to defend it. That foretells their collapse. They’d give up anything for free healthcare.
Maybe Pete figures that Europe is in its twilight and being overrun by peoples of hostile ideologies–Marxism and Islam in particular. He can just make a show for a warm, fuzzy ceremony, or he can urge a call to arms. I suspect the few surviving veterans of the invasion would prefer the call to arms.
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The Economist last year ( Oct 18th?) had an article quoting someone, who believes Peace And Safety are Satanic; that the world must be in a state of war , ready to kill. And it is…
To fight a war for Peace is Satanic….
Closer to home, let’s not forget the Confederate States of America. Nor the War of Northern Aggression..
Nor Korean War . Not even Granada..
Vietnam is Commie..
There are still veterans who fought for World Peace. And will say so.
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