US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced backlash from residents of a small French village during his visit to commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day landings. The 45-year-old was labeled “persona non grata” by some locals in Langrune-sur-Mer, where a memorial ceremony was held on Saturday, as reported by French broadcaster BFM TV.
Sylvie Lamy Thepaut, a local activist and member of the community organization Langrune en Commun, criticized the Pentagon chief before the event, citing his perceived warlike rhetoric that contradicts 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 due to his alleged opposition to democracy, human rights, and peace. The group highlighted Hegseth’s previous remarks about Europeans being parasitic and his apparent American supremacist views, such as referring to the “War Department.”
The group emphasized the importance of honoring the memory of the allied soldiers who died on the beaches in the name of democracy and called for canceling Hegseth’s visit to preserve the honor of Langrune and France.
Another member of Langrune en Commun, Chantal Richard, expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s direction, stating that Hegseth’s actions challenge international organizations established post-World War II. She stressed the need to speak out against Hegseth’s perceived colonial, warmongering, racist, and far-right values, emphasizing the importance of not remaining silent on such issues.
The controversy arose as Hegseth arrived in France with his family, sparking criticism in the US over the associated security expenses. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the decision, stating that Hegseth’s family covered their own travel costs.
During the anniversary ceremonies, Hegseth appeared to criticize European nations regarding immigration and defense spending, adding to the tensions surrounding his visit.
