Like Europe urging US to embrace the KKK: Ex-Defense Secretary stunned by Vance's remarks

A former Defense Secretary was stunned by Vice President J.D. Vance's visit abroad this week, telling CNN on Friday evening he found it "difficult" to imagine himself encouraging European nations to allow "extremism" — likening it to a European leader urging the U.S. to improve its relationship with the Ku Klux Klan.

Leon Panetta, who served in the Obama administration, joined CNN's "OutFront" with anchor Erin Burnett to discuss Vance's meeting with leaders of the fringe far-right Alternative für Deutschland, or AfD, party in Germany.

"The message here, Secretary, appears to be loud and clear," said Burnett, noting Vance did not meet with Olaf Scholz, the chancellor of Germany.

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Panetta chuckled, and called the visit "concerning." He flagged the importance of reassuring "security" between the U.S. and its allies to ensure tyrants "don't take advantage of Europe."

While Vance could've levied legitimate criticism that European nations aren't spending enough in defense, he vehemently disagreed with getting involved in their internal politics.

"Particularly when it involves a very right-wing group," said Panetta, noting the U.S. helped Europe fight in World War II to stop Nazism. "I just think it's not a good idea for the United States to suddenly inject itself into that discussion. That's up to Germany to decide how to handle it. They know what Nazism is about. Let them decide how to deal with this issue."

When asked about President Donald Trump's reaction to Vance's speech, in which he warned Europe "has to be careful," Panetta shook his head and said he found it "difficult" to imagine telling European countries to "somehow allow extremism to exist within their boundaries.

"I mean, If a European leader had come to the United States and said to us we have to improve our relationship with the Ku Klux Klan, I'd tell them to go to hell," he said. "I just don't think we have to get involved in countries that are trying to protect themselves from extremism that might lead to another confrontation or another war that we saw in World War II. That is something frankly that we should avoid."

Watch the clip below or at this link.