US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced backlash from residents of a small French village during his visit to mark the anniversary of the D-Day landings. The 45-year-old was declared unwelcome by certain locals in Langrune-sur-Mer, where a commemorative ceremony was held on Saturday, as reported by French broadcaster BFM TV.
Sylvie Lamy Thepaut, a local activist from the community organization Langrune en Commun, criticized the Pentagon chief prior to the event, citing his perceived aggressive statements that do not align with their values of democracy and freedom.
Days before Hegseth’s arrival in northern France, the civic and political group issued a statement urging event organizers to cancel his visit, citing his alleged anti-European remarks and views conflicting with democracy, human rights, and peace.
The group emphasized Hegseth’s comments on “the parasitism of Europeans” and what they labeled as “American supremacist” remarks, prompting concerns about the impact on the honor of Langrune, France, and the memory of fallen allies who fought for democracy.
Chantal Richard, another member of Langrune en Commun, expressed concerns about the direction of the Trump administration, stating that it was essential to address Hegseth’s challenging stance towards international organizations established after World War II.
The controversy arose as Hegseth arrived in France with his family, triggering criticism in the US over security expenses related to the visit. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the decision, stating that Hegseth’s family covered their own travel costs.
During the ceremonies commemorating the Allied landings anniversary, Hegseth appeared to criticize European nations regarding immigration and defense spending, further fueling the ongoing debate surrounding his visit.