Trump’s Second-in-Command Criticizes Europe for Suppressing Free Speech at Munich Security
At the Munich Security Conference on Friday, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance took the opportunity to launch a sharp critique of Europe, accusing it of undermining freedom of expression.
Vance declared, “Freedom of speech is under threat,” emphasizing that the Trump administration “will fight” to “defend” this fundamental right. He added, “In Washington, there’s a new sheriff in town,” referencing President Donald Trump.
While many expected Vance to focus on Trump’s initiative regarding the conflict in Ukraine, the Vice President surprised attendees by dedicating a significant portion of his speech to critiquing European countries for what he described as a “regression” in “free speech.”
“The threat that concerns me more than anything else regarding Europe is not Russia, not China, nor any other external party; what concerns me is the threat from within. Europe is backsliding on some of its core values,” Vance stated at the conference. He expressed particular worry that “freedom of speech in Britain and across Europe is receding.”
Message to NATO
Vance also underscored the U.S. demand for NATO allies to increase their defense spending before the conference, amidst deep concerns and uncertainty about Trump’s foreign policy.
He urged European officials to curb illegal immigration, noting that European voters do not want “open doors” for millions of migrants.
The future of Ukraine tops the agenda at the Munich Security Conference, especially following a phone call this week between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they committed to working together to end the three-year-long Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Vance is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later on Friday to discuss what many observers, particularly in Europe, hope will shed light on Trump’s ideas for negotiating a settlement to the war.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addressed the conference, stating that everyone “wants this war to end,” but he noted, “How this war ends will have a lasting impact on our security system and the balance of power for both Europe and America in the world.”
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