Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) on Sunday criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for making what the congressman called "inappropriate" remarks during a speech marking the 82nd anniversary of D-Day in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.
McCaul, who serves as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is himself the son of a D-Day veteran. He said Hegseth’s Saturday address at the Normandy American Cemetery should have focused on honoring the sacrifice of Allied troops rather than touching on European immigration policy.
"I think it should have been about their sacrifice, their service to their country, and what they did to protect the free world at a time of great peril against Nazi Germany," McCaul said during an appearance on ABC’s "This Week." "That should have been the message. It always has been in the past. And, quite frankly, I thought it was just inappropriate."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats joined McCaul in condemning Hegseth’s remarks. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said through a spokesperson that using a solemn commemoration of World War II veterans to push an immigration agenda "disrespects those who gave everything for democracy." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called the speech "tone-deaf" and said Defense Secretaries have long understood that D-Day ceremonies are moments for remembrance, not political messaging.
Advocacy groups focused on veterans’ affairs also weighed in. The Veterans of Foreign Wars issued a statement saying: "We expect those who speak at sacred military memorials to honor the fallen first and foremost. Any other message risks diminishing the gravity of these commemorations."
What the Right Is Saying
Other Republicans defended Hegseth’s remarks as consistent with the Trump administration’s broader focus on border security and immigration enforcement. Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, said Hegseth was "making a point about the importance of sovereignty—something those who fought at Normandy understood deeply."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Defense Secretary was highlighting "the same values American servicemembers died for: national security and the ability of nations to control their own borders." She added that Hegseth’s trip included productive meetings with French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin.
Some conservative commentators argued the criticism was overblown. The Heritage Foundation released a brief noting that European immigration policy has been discussed at NATO gatherings for years and questioning why D-Day commemorations should be exempt from broader security discussions.
What the Numbers Show
The controversy comes as public opinion on defense spending remains high. A Gallup poll conducted in May found 76% of Americans believe maintaining military strength is "extremely important," with immigration ranking third among voter priorities at 58%, behind the economy (81%) and inflation (74%). The same survey showed 67% favor increased border security measures.
Hegseth’s approval rating among veterans stands at 43%, according to a recent Morning Consult poll, with 38% disapproving and 19% undecided. Among Republican veterans specifically, 71% approve of his performance as Defense Secretary.
The Bottom Line
The criticism from McCaul represents a rare public split within the GOP on how the Trump administration communicates its priorities. Hegseth was also reportedly met with local pushback in Normandy, where some French residents criticized him for skipping the main international ceremony in Langrune-sur-Mer that commemorated the largest armada in history.
What happens next: McCaul chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, giving his criticism institutional weight. The Defense Department has not responded to requests for comment beyond Leavitt’s statement. The episode highlights ongoing tensions between traditional Republican foreign policy voices and the administration’s more aggressive stance on immigration and sovereignty issues.