U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio received a standing ovation at the Munich Security Conference following a forceful speech that focused on the dangers of illegal immigration, Christian revival and maintaining strong ties between the United States and Europe.
“We gather here today as members of a historic alliance, an alliance that saved and changed the world,” Rubio began, recalling the Berlin Wall’s erection and the Cuban Missile Crisis. He described how “Soviet communism was on the march” and “thousands of years of Western civilization hung in the balance” before it was halted by U.S.-European alliances.
Rubio went on to argue that such alliances are increasingly threatened by the dangers of unfettered illegal immigration. “In a pursuit of a world without borders, we opened our doors to an unprecedented wave of mass migration that threatens the cohesion of our societies, the continuity of our culture, and the future of our people,” the secretary said.
“Mass migration is not, was not, isn’t some fringe concern of little consequence. It was and continues to be a crisis which is transforming and destabilizing societies all across the West. Rubio noted that the need for secure borders was not rooted in “isolationism,” but as “a fundamental act of national sovereignty.”
Marco Rubio says outsourcing American sovereignty “was a foolish idea”:
“In the pursuit of a world without borders we opened our doors to a wave of mass migration that threatens the cohesion of our societies, the continuity of our culture, and the future of our people.” pic.twitter.com/QDDuN0dpsM
— The American Conservative (@amconmag) February 14, 2026
Throughout, Rubio emphasized the spiritual and cultural foundations of the U.S.-European bond, particularly on shared Christian roots.
He traced America’s origins to European settlers who brought “the memories and the traditions and the Christian faith of their ancestors as a sacred inheritance, an unbreakable link between the old world and the new.” This faith, he said, underpins Western civilization
“We are bound to one another by the deepest bonds that nations could share, forged by centuries of shared history, Christian faith, culture, heritage, language, ancestry, and the sacrifices our forefathers made together,” Rubio declared.
On the role of the United States in the world, the secretary outlined an assertive leadership strategy under President Donald Trump. “It is our preference and it is our hope to do this together with you, our friends here in Europe,” he said, adding that the U.S. would not refrain from unilateral action if required.
Relations between Europe and America formed the speech’s core, with Rubio rejecting narratives of division. “For the United States and Europe, we belong together,” he declared.
“This is why President Trump demands seriousness and reciprocity from our friends here in Europe. The reason why, my friends, is because we care deeply. We care deeply about your future and ours, adding that the U.S. and Europe will be forever linked. “The fate of Europe will never be irrelevant to our own,” he said, drawing a resounding round of applause.
🚨 HOLY CRAP! Sec. Marco Rubio just got a MASSIVE standing ovation in Germany after he told Europe we need to move back toward Christianity and against 3rd world migration
Marco is CRUSHING it and the whole world sees it! 🔥
We LOVE MARCO. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/PmZFHR5W53
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 14, 2026
