News blog about US politics
“We will find out more soon”: Hegseth threatens Europe
Updated on May 30, 2026 – 4:37 p.mReading time: 18 minutes
Before the World Cup, the US economy fears massive damage to the country’s reputation. Donald Trump consults – and makes no decision on Iran. All developments in the news blog.
Hegseth threatens Europe
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has once again threatened European allies with consequences if defense spending is too low. “Allies who refuse to take greater responsibility and contribute to our common defense will have to deal with a significant change in our approach,” Hegseth said at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore. At the same time, the Pentagon chief called on Western European countries in particular to refrain from “moral sermons” if they disagree with the USA.
“For too long, polite requests to our European allies to spend more on their own defense have fallen on deaf ears,” Hegseth said. Meanwhile, the allies were “finally catching up.” At the same time, he accused European states of promoting “empty globalist rhetoric about a rules-based international order” while “opening their borders wide and hollowing out their armies.” Last year, NATO member states pledged to increase their defense spending to 3.5 percent of their respective gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035 and to spend a further 1.5 percent on defense-related expenses. However, despite increased efforts, many states said they may not be able to meet this five percent target.
Hegseth announced “important decisions” on Europe’s security. “Europe and NATO have important decisions to make and you will find out more soon,” he said. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently told Europeans that they had to learn to live with fewer US soldiers in Europe. Accordingly, there should soon be adjustments to the forces that can be mobilized within 180 days in the event of a crisis.
US economy warns of billions in damage and airport chaos
Leading US airlines and business associations have warned of billions in damage and chaotic conditions at US airports if the US government suspends the processing of international travelers and cargo at several major airports. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on Thursday that US President Donald Trump’s administration could stop processing international travelers and cargo at Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey.
The airport is an important gateway for New York City. The reason is that the local police do not support the federal immigration officials. Mullin has repeatedly threatened to halt immigration processing at more than a dozen other airports in immigrant sanctuary cities, including Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
