Pete Hegseth sparks fury in tiny French village over D-Day appearance | World | News
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sparked outrage among locals in a small French village as part of his visit to commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Some residents of Langrune-sur-Mer, where a memorial service was held on Saturday, described the 45-year-old as “persona non grata”, according to French broadcaster BFM TV.
Local campaigner Sylvie Lamy Thepaut, a member of community group Langrune en Commun, criticized the Pentagon chief ahead of the event.
“He has very belligerent expressions and it seems to us that he does not fully share our values of democracy and freedom,” he said.
Days before Hegseth was due to arrive in northern France, the civic and political group issued a statement urging organizers to cancel his visit.
“This person has values that are contrary to democracy, human rights and peace. This is evidenced by his numerous anti-European statements,” the group said. he said.
He pointed to Hegseth’s comments about “the parasitism of Europeans” and “American supremacist statements like ‘Department of War’.”
“The memory of Langrune, the honor of France and the memory of our young allies, American, British and Canadian, who died on our beaches in the name of democracy, will require the cancellation of this person’s visit,” the statement said. The statement was included.
Chantal Richard, another member of Langrune en Commun, said the group cannot remain silent about what it sees as direction from the Trump administration.
“We can’t act like it’s business as usual.
“What is happening to the Trump administration is not business as usual. Pete Hegseth’s challenge to all the international organizations that emerged after World War II is also not business as usual.
“Words must be spoken, he must speak out for who he is and the values he represents: colonialist, warmonger, racist, far-right values. Silence seems to us to be the worst thing we can do on these issues.”
The controversy arose when Hegseth arrived in France with his wife and six children, prompting criticism from some current and former officials in the United States who questioned the security costs associated with the trip.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the decision, insisting that Hegseth’s family had traveled “at their own expense.”
“Every parent should teach their children what true sacrifice and courage look like,” he wrote to X.
“This is how we keep freedom alive. We are proud to serve alongside a Secretary of War who leads by example on and off the battlefield.”
During commemorations marking the anniversary of the Allied landings, Hegseth also criticized European nations over immigration and defense spending.
