US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has sparked backlash among locals in a small French village during his visit to mark the anniversary of the D-Day landings, with residents reportedly describing him as “not welcome” and calling for his appearance to be cancelled
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has sparked anger amongst residents of a small French village during his visit to commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day landings.
The 45-year-old was branded “persona non grata” by some locals in Langrune-sur-Mer, where a memorial ceremony took place on Saturday, according to French broadcaster BFM TV.
Local activist Sylvie Lamy Thepaut, a member of community organisation Langrune en Commun, spoke out against 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.
Several days before Hegseth’s arrival in northern France, the civic and political group released a statement calling on organisers to pull the plug on 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 highlighted 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.
Fellow Langrune en Commun member Chantal Richard said the group felt compelled to speak out about what it regards as the Trump administration’s worrying trajectory. “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 row emerged as Hegseth touched down in France with his wife and six of their children, sparking criticism back in the US from some current and former officials who raised concerns about the security expenses linked to the visit.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stood by the decision, maintaining 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.”
Throughout ceremonies commemorating the anniversary of the Allied landings, Hegseth also seemed to take aim at European nations regarding immigration and defence expenditure.
