BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP
Pete Hegseth was initially scheduled to participate in the international ceremony to commemorate the landing in Normandy, this Saturday June 6. Matignon puts forward a scheduling problem to justify his absence.
A guest who had been announced was ultimately absent from the international ceremony for the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, this Saturday, June 6. Pete Hegseth, American Secretary of War, was eagerly awaited for the commemoration alongside Sébastien Lecornu and the Minister of Defense of the United Kingdom John Healey. The day before, Donald Trump’s close friend finally canceled.
Officially, Matignon mentions an agenda problem: “Mobilized during an American ceremony, Pete Hegseth will finally be represented by Mr. Elbridge Colby, Undersecretary of War of the United States.”
As soon as it was announced, Pete Hegseth’s arrival had raised eyebrows in the town of Langrune, which is hosting this ceremony. “This individual carries values that are contrary to democracy, human rights and peace. This is evidenced by his numerous anti-European, warlike and American supremacist remarks.”argued a city association, as reported West France.
And to add: “The honor of Langrune, that of France, and the memory of the young allies, Americans, British and Canadians… who died on our beaches in the name of democracy would require this individual’s visit to be canceled.”
Pete Hegseth’s rant against immigration
And when this association mentioned comments « guerriers », she didn’t think she said it so well. Because if Pete Hegseth is not present at the international ceremony this Saturday afternoon, he still made the trip for the bi-national commemoration, organized in the morning at the military cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer. And as noted West Franceat this peace ceremony, he spoke of war, calling on Europeans to rearm.
“America must lead the way, and we will, but our allies must be with us, shoulder to shoulder.”asked Pete Hegseth, recalling Donald Trump’s demand that Europeans increase their military spending. And to add: “Peace is only guaranteed by force.”
The American Secretary of War also saw fit to speak of immigration as a threat to “Western civilization”. Supposed to highlight the importance of the landing of English, Canadian and American ships and men on the beaches of Normandy, which made it possible to liberate France from Nazism, Pete Hegseth launched out: “Unfortunately, today, various European beaches are being stormed by various dangerous ideologies: on the beaches of Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria, boats and men are landing.â€
And added from the platform where Catherine Vautrin was also located: “Will European capitals act against this invasion or is it already too late?”
