Pete Hegseth sparks fury in tiny French village over D-Day appearance | World | News
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has sparked backlash among locals in a small French village as part of his visit to mark the anniversary of the D-Day landings.
The 45-year-old was described as “persona non grata” by some residents of Langrune-sur-Mer, where a commemorative ceremony was held on Saturday, according to French broadcaster BFM TV.
Local campaigner Sylvie Lamy Thepaut, a member of community group Langrune en Commun, criticised the Pentagon chief ahead of the event.
“He has very warlike remarks, and it seems to us that he does not exactly share our values of democracy and freedom,” she told the outlet.
Days before Hegseth arrived in northern France, the civic and political group issued a statement urging organisers to cancel his visit.
“This individual holds values contrary to democracy, human rights, and peace. This is evidenced by his numerous anti-European remarks,” the group said.
It pointed to what it described as Hegseth’s comments about “the parasitism of Europeans” and “his American supremacist remarks such as ‘the War Department’.”
“The honor of Langrune, that of France, and the memory of the young allies, American, British, Canadian… who died on our beaches in the name of democracy would dictate canceling the visit of this individual,” the statement added.
Another member of Langrune en Commun, Chantal Richard, said the group could not remain silent about what it sees as the Trump administration’s direction.
“We can’t pretend it’s business as usual.
“What’s happening with the Trump administration isn’t business as usual. The fact that Pete Hegseth is challenging all the international organizations that emerged from the Second World War isn’t business as usual.
“The words must be spoken, he must be called out for who he is, for the values he represents: colonial, warmongering, racist, far-right values. Silence seems to us to be the worst thing we can do on these issues.”
The controversy came as Hegseth arrived in France accompanied by his wife and six of their children, prompting criticism in the US from some current and former officials who questioned the security costs associated with the trip.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the decision, insisting Hegseth’s family travelled “at his own expense”.
“Every parent should teach their kids what real sacrifice & courage look like,” he wrote on X.
“That’s how we keep freedom alive. Proud to serve alongside a Secretary of War who leads by example, on & off the battlefield.”
During commemorations marking the anniversary of the Allied landings, Hegseth also appeared to criticise European nations over immigration and defence spending.
