<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">Courtesy of the <i>New York Daily News</i> at:<div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-news-state-department-dday-germany-20180605-story.html">http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-news-state-department-dday-germany-20180605-story.html</a><br><div><br></div><div>———————————————</div><div><div><h1 class="spaced spaced-xl spaced-top spaced-bottom" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 32px 0px; font-family: "Open Sans Condensed"; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 48px; font-size: 44px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">State Department spokeswoman uses D-Day as an example of long relationship with Germany</h1></div><div>A top State Department spokesperson referenced the D-Day invasion during World War II as an example of the United States’ strong ties to Germany.</div><div><br></div><div>The department has been under fire since U.S. Ambassador to Germany Rick Grenell told Breitbart News he wants to help empower far-right groups in Europe, sparking anger from the U.S. ally.</div><div><br></div><div>"We have a very strong relationship with the government of Germany," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said during a briefing Tuesday. "Looking back in the history books, today is the 71st anniversary of the speech that announced the Marshall Plan. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the D-Day invasion.”</div><div><br></div><div>Wednesday is the 74th anniversary of the allied invasion of northern France during World War II, a bloody day in which thousands of U.S. and British soldierswere killed while fighting German troops. The massive attack was considered a turning point in the allied effort to push back Nazi forces in Europe.</div><div><br></div><div>“We obviously have a very long history with the government of Germany,” Nauert continued. “And we have a strong relationship with the government of Germany."</div><div><br></div><div>Nauert was defending Grenell’s statements to Breitbart that he supports conservative groups in Europe, which the Trump appointee said are “experiencing an awakening from the silent majority.”</div><div><br></div><div>“Ambassadors have a right to express their opinion,” Nauert responded to questions about whether diplomats can support certain parties overseas. “They’re representatives of the White House, whether it’s this administration or other administrations.”</div><div><br></div><div>Grenell’s comments sparked outrage among German politicians, many of whom were already at odds with the Trump administration. Chancellor Angela Merkel had already signaled a desire to reduce reliance on Washington after President Trump backed out of the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear deal.</div><div><br></div><div>Grenell, in a tweet after the Breitbart interview was published last weekend, defended his remarks but clarified he wasn’t throwing his full support to a particular individual or group.</div><div><br></div><div>“What Ambassador Grenell was doing was merely highlighting that there are some parties and candidates in Europe who are doing well right now,”</div></div><div><br></div><div>———————————————<br><br><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div> </div></div></div></div></body></html>