Vice President JD Vance’s speech in Munich has sent shockwaves across Europe, reinforcing his longstanding support for far-right, anti-immigration parties and his criticism of restrictions on conservative voices. His remarks extended the political themes he has championed domestically onto a global stage.
During his speech at the Munich Security Conference, Mr. Vance called on European leaders to be more tolerant of alternative viewpoints. However, his remarks appeared to resonate most with conservative and libertarian groups back home, who have frequently pointed to European free speech battles as a cautionary tale for activists in the United States.
While Mr. Vance did not explicitly name Alternative for Germany (AfD), the implication was clear as he criticized the exclusion of certain political parties from the conference just days before Germany’s national election. AfD, which has been classified as extremist by German intelligence, is experiencing a surge in popularity amid concerns over immigration and economic hardships.
In his speech, Mr. Vance stated, “There is no room for firewalls,” directly challenging the practice of isolating AfD to prevent its integration into mainstream politics. Additionally, a spokesperson for Mr. Vance confirmed that he met with AfD leader Alice Weidel during his visit.
This is not the first time Mr. Vance has signaled support for AfD. In December, he defended Elon Musk’s social media post declaring, “Only the AfD can save Germany,” by sarcastically dismissing criticism of border control policies as overly dramatic.
Mr. Vance’s comments were swiftly condemned by the Anti-Defamation League, which warned against openly embracing a group with a history of “antisemitic, anti-Muslim, anti-democratic, and xenophobic rhetoric.”
Carl Bildt, a former Swedish prime minister and co-chairman of the European Council on Foreign Relations, criticized the speech, calling it either irrelevant to global security concerns or blatant interference in Germany’s election.
The confrontational tone of Mr. Vance’s remarks in Munich echoed his domestic political style. His past controversies include inflammatory statements about migrants and claims of censorship against conservatives. During his 2024 campaign, he framed conservatives—and former President Trump in particular—as victims of suppression.
At the Munich conference, Mr. Vance reiterated his stance, asserting that the suppression of free speech posed a greater security threat to Europe than Russia or China. He highlighted mass migration as a pressing issue, pointing out that a significant portion of Germany’s population consists of immigrants and drawing parallels with the U.S.
Peter B. Doran, an adjunct senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, suggested that Mr. Vance’s speech was strategically aligned with his domestic political agenda. “President Trump was elected on the promise to address immigration, and many Europeans are reevaluating their open-border policies. Vance is amplifying that message in Europe,” Doran stated.