As US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is visiting Brussels this week, Americans and allies in Belgium are gathering to "defend democracy" and send a strong message to denounce the Trump administration's policies.
The Democrats Abroad organisation gathered at Brussels-Central Station at 16:30 on Wednesday in support of "truth, justice and the values that define American democracy."
"Hegseth is the first high-level representative of the Trump cabinet since the election. So this is our first opportunity to tell the Trump administration, and Belgium, how we as patriotic Americans feel about Donald Trump and his government," Trip DuBard, Chair of Democrats Abroad Belgium, told The Brussels Times.
"And the truth is, we detest it. It goes against everything that's American," he added. "The rule of law, respect for others, respect for allies and international alliances, decent treatment of people, honesty, facts... I could go on."
'Alice in Wonderland'
DuBard also pointed out that unelected officials such as Elon Musk – who was appointed leader of Trump's newly restructured Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – are taking over critical government functions, "without any accountability, transparency or oversight."
The rally wants to reinforce that Americans across the world are "furious" about the Trump administration. DuBard pointed out that Hegseth has been accused of sexual assault, while questions have also been raised about other members.
"Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who will be heading the Health Department is a vaccine sceptic. Kash Patel, President Trump's pick for FBI director, is a conspiracy theorist – to name but a few," he said. "Up is down and down is up; it's Alice in Wonderland."
The only way for the Trump administration to get away with "their lawlessness" is if good people do nothing, DuBard stressed. "We need to show them we are out here and they cannot just get away with it. History is watching."
United States Vice President JD Vance (Left) shakes hands with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (Right). Credit: Ron Sachs/Pool via CNP/Belga
Hegseth is in Brussels to attend the NATO Defence summit and the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) meeting.
He will engage with NATO allies and partners to discuss the need to boost members' defence spending and increase European leadership. At the UDCG, Hegseth will reiterate President Trump's commitment to a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine as quickly as possible.
