Vice President JD Vance delivered a stark warning about Europe’s future, calling its current path of open borders and censorship a form of “civilizational suicide” that threatens Western values and could undermine America’s strongest allies.
Quick Takes
- VP Vance warned that Europe is committing “civilizational suicide” through its immigration policies and speech restrictions
- He specifically criticized Germany for accepting immigrants from “culturally incompatible” countries
- Vance emphasized that Europe must respect its own sovereignty and citizens to remain a strong US ally
- His comments sparked controversy, particularly regarding remarks about Britain’s military contributions
- The Vice President highlighted the success of the Trump administration in reducing border crossings and encouraging self-deportation
Vance’s Warning to Europe
In a recent interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Vice President JD Vance issued a serious warning about the direction of European policies. Vance expressed deep concern over what he perceives as Europe’s inability or unwillingness to control its borders while simultaneously restricting citizens’ freedom of speech. These twin issues, in his assessment, represent an existential threat to European civilization and could severely impact America’s relationship with its traditional allies across the Atlantic.
Vance’s critique centered particularly on Germany, which has accepted the largest share of asylum seekers in the European Union. According to recent data, Germany received approximately 25% of all EU asylum applications in the first half of 2024. The Vice President did not mince words about the potential consequences of this policy, stating that if current trends continue, “Germany will have killed itself, and I hope they don’t do that because I love Germany, and I want Germany to thrive.”
JD Vance warns Europe is risking “civilizational suicide” with open borders and free speech crackdowns. America can’t fix it for them—Europe must act now. https://t.co/5f2I7qgVyP https://t.co/5f2I7qgVyP
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) March 15, 2025
Immigration and Free Speech Concerns
The Vice President drew direct connections between immigration policies and restrictions on free speech, suggesting that European governments are silencing citizens who protest against open borders. “You see them starting to limit the free speech of their own citizens even as those citizens are protesting against things like the border invasion that got [US President] Donald Trump and a number of European leaders elected,” Vance stated during the interview. This combination of policies, he argued, represents a dangerous trend that undermines democratic values.
Vance’s comments align with positions he previously expressed at the Munich Security Conference, where he identified internal threats to civil liberties as potentially more dangerous than external challenges from countries like Russia or China. The migration crisis, which began in earnest during autumn 2015 with a surge of refugees and unauthorized immigrants entering the EU, continues to shape European politics and has fueled the rise of nationalist movements across the continent.
Diplomatic Fallout and Clarifications
The Vice President’s remarks created immediate diplomatic tensions, particularly with the United Kingdom. Vance faced significant criticism for suggesting Britain was a “random country” that hadn’t fought a war in decades – a comment widely interpreted as dismissive of UK military contributions in Afghanistan and Iraq, where British forces suffered significant casualties while fighting alongside American troops. Prominent British political figures, including Nigel Farage, quickly condemned these comments as disrespectful to UK military sacrifices.
Following the backlash, Vance attempted to clarify his position from the Oval Office, emphasizing the “special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom. He stated that his criticisms were not specifically targeting Britain or France, and later expressed his desire for Europe to “thrive” as an important American ally. Vance maintained that his concern stems from a genuine appreciation for Europe’s historical and cultural significance, particularly its role in establishing the Christian civilization that influenced America’s founding.
America’s Border Policies as a Model
During the same interview, Vance took the opportunity to contrast European border policies with the Trump administration’s approach to immigration. He reported a significant reduction in illegal border crossings since President Trump’s inauguration and highlighted the administration’s focus on deportations. The Vice President praised Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and “border czar” Tom Homan for their work on voluntary departure initiatives, suggesting that Europe could learn from America’s example.
Vance concluded his comments with a message of hope for Europe’s future, despite his stark warnings: “I want Europe to thrive. I want them to be an important ally. Part of that is going to be Europe respecting its own people, respecting its own sovereignty, and America can’t do that job for them.” The Vice President’s remarks underscore the Trump administration’s commitment to a foreign policy that prioritizes sovereignty and border security both at home and among America’s allies.
