The Huffington Post
Pete Hegseth looks up as he delivers a speech at the US cemetery to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings. Pete Hegseth has been condemned after he used a D-Day commemoration to accuse Nato countries of not doing enough to tackle illegal immigration. The US defence secretary was branded “an absolute bum” after saying “European beaches are [being] stormed by different, dangerous ideologies”. Critics said his comments, at the Normandy American Cemetery in north-west France on the 62nd anniversary of the D-Day landings, were disrespectful to the memory of those who died in the Second World War. Nearly 4,500 Allied troops were killed attempting to liberate Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944. Hegseth said: “Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different, dangerous ideologies. Beaches in Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria, boats and men arrive. “When will European capitals do something about that invasion or is it too late? I pray not, and I believe not.” Hegseth uses his D-Day anniversary speech in Franch to take veiled shots at NATO and European immigration policies pic.twitter.com/D588VxMweq — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 6, 2026 But his comments sparked a furious backlash on social media. Former Labour MP Jamie Reed said Hegseth was “a bum with wet hair and a suit that doesn’t fit”. An absolute bum. A bum with wet hair and a suit that doesn’t fit. A bum. — Jamie Reed (@JamieFonzarelli) June 6, 2026 A disgrace to the memory of the men and women who gave their lives to win World War II. https://t.co/MZkv1c3yV6 — Scott Greenfield (@ScottGreenfield) June 6, 2026 Pete Hegseth used a D-Day anniversary speech in France to lecture Europeans about NATO and immigration. Imagine attending a memorial service and deciding it's the perfect time to start a cable news segment. — Sandip Mittal (@TheSandipM) June 6, 2026 Pete Hegseth is a disgrace. https://t.co/gevUddvAMW — Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) June 6, 2026 I have not used this forum to talk politics in a long time. If I lose followers for this, I don’t care. I’ve been to Omaha Beach. To Point du Hoc. To the Normandy American Cemetery. Our Defense Secretary using this occasion to score cheap political points is despicable. https://t.co/R8du6j5epQ — Jake T. O'Donnell (@jaketodonnell) June 6, 2026 Subscribe to Commons People , the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... Pete Hegseth Quoted A Bible Verse. Turns Out It Was A Rip-Off Of ‘Pulp Fiction.’ Pete Hegseth Was Asked If US Troops Could Be Sent Into Iran, And His Answer Raises Eyebrows Pete Hegseth Says America's 'Ungrateful European Allies' Should Thank Trump For Iran War
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