US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered sharp criticism of Europe’s migration policy during a ceremony in Normandy on Saturday, marking the 82nd anniversary of the Allied landings in World War II.

In his speech, Hegseth compared today’s migration across the Mediterranean to a form of invasion, claiming that several European countries are facing serious challenges linked to migration. He specifically mentioned Spain, Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria as countries where migrants continue to arrive by boat, and he called for stronger action from European governments.

The statement is the latest in a series of critical remarks from representatives of the American Trump administration directed at European leaders. Earlier this week, US Vice President JD Vance sparked strong reactions in the United Kingdom after social media posts about the murder of the British student Henry Nowak.

Vance connected the incident to what he described as decades of failed migration policy, arguing that European elites have failed to defend Western values.

READ ALSO: JD Vance: Illegal immigration the greatest threat to Europe

The murder of 18-year-old Nowak took place in December last year. The convicted perpetrator received a life sentence on Monday for the knife attack. The case has sparked protests and political debate in the country.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused “far-right actors” of exploiting the incident to fuel division and discontent. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy stated that he personally communicated his criticism to Vance, emphasizing that the murder case had no connection to mass migration since the perpetrator was a British citizen.

An Unrecognizable Europe

The conflict reflects a broader disagreement between the current US leadership and several European governments. While anti-immigration parties are gaining support in several European countries, many governments have introduced stricter rules to reduce both legal and illegal migration.

An American security strategy presented in December claimed that Europe risks becoming unrecognizable within a couple of decades if current trends continue. Donald Trump has also previously stated that several European countries have been severely affected by what he describes as uncontrolled migration.

Beyond the issue of migration, the relationship between the US and Europe has also been tested by trade disputes and discussions regarding security policy. Analysts say these developments have raised questions about Europe’s future dependence on American support and whether the continent needs to take greater responsibility for its own security and defense capabilities.

READ ALSO: Trump warns: Europe risks collapse due to migration