On Feb. 15, Vice President JD Vance spoke at the Munich Security Conference, sharply attacking European leaders for their supposed actions that Vance says undermine security, democracy and free speech. He spoke in front of a European audience eager for reassurance and cooperation on diplomatic matters like the Ukrainian War.
Vance expressed his deep contention regarding Europe’s censorship of conservative and right-wing beliefs. During his speech, Vance drew from various European countries as examples of restricting right-wing political demonstrations.
“A little over two years ago, the British government charged Adam Smith Conner, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and an Army veteran, with the heinous crime of standing 50 meters from an abortion clinic and silently praying for three minutes, not obstructing anyone, not interacting with anyone, just silently praying on his own,” Vance said.
In the UK, Scotland has put Buffer Zones in place through The Safe Access Zones Act, making it a criminal offense to pray or try and influence the decisions of clinic patients within 200 meters of an abortion facility.
Additionally, Vance criticized Sweden for prosecuting Salwan Najem — a Swedish citizen who was connected to 4 incidents of Quran burnings.
“I look to Sweden, where two weeks ago, the government convicted a Christian activist for participating in Quran burnings that resulted in his friend’s murder,” Vance said.
The judge in his case highlighted that “there is a great deal of scope within the framework of freedom of expression to be critical of a religion in a factual and valid debate,” yet freedom of expression did not permit a “free pass to do or say anything”.
Vance continued his disapproval of Europe’s actions by comparing them to the apparent freedom of speech in America while criticizing the former Biden administration.
“Just as the Biden administration seemed desperate to silence people for speaking their minds, so the Trump administration will do precisely the opposite, and I hope that we can work together on that,” Vance said.
Furthermore, he added, “Under Donald Trump’s leadership, we may disagree with your views, but we will fight to defend your right to offer them in the public square.”
Vance covered other European policies including issues of immigration and compromising national security in favor of globalist policies.
Varied responses emerged after hearing Vance’s controversial words. Elon Musk expressed his excitement and support for Vance with a post on X. “Make Europe Great Again! MEGA, MEGA, MEGA,” Musk wrote.
Many European politicians decried the claims made by Vance.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, reflected, “Listening to that speech, they try to pick a fight with us and we don’t want to a pick a fight with our friends.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly rejected Vance’s sentiments. Talking to the press, Scholz mentioned that Vance’s recent attendance at a concentration camp in Dachau, where the voiced a strong attitude of “never again,” was full of irony.
Scholz continued that the concept of “never again” should apply to far-right political parties — like Germany’s populist Alternative for Germany Party (AfD). The German Judiciary has classified AfD as an extremist political party.
AfD has been endorsed by President Trump and Elon Musk, but has been equally rejected by other politicians.
In all, Vance’s controversial speech at the Security Conference has grasped the attention of many countries.
