Hoover Institution scholar Victor Davis Hanson sharply criticized South Korea’s response to a U.S. immigration raid at a Korean-owned battery plant, saying the nation forgot the American blood shed to secure its liberty. Hanson warned that America’s global sacrifices are being erased—even by its allies.
Appearing on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, Hanson reacted to reports that the South Korean government pushed back against immigration enforcement under the Trump administration at a Korean-operated facility. Hanson called the reaction shocking and ungrateful, given the United States’ historic defense of the Korean Peninsula.
“For 75 years, the United States, at the cost of 36,000 lives, created South Korea’s freedom and protected it,” Hanson said. He noted he “was a little shocked at the reaction of the South Korean government” and expected them to “restrain themselves a little bit, but they didn’t.”
The Trump administration has prioritized strict enforcement of immigration law and cracking down on labor violations, especially in foreign-owned EV and battery manufacturing plants. South Korea’s objection to the federal investigation has raised concerns about allies benefiting from U.S. protection while undermining American sovereignty.
Hanson’s critique reflects growing sentiment among conservative analysts and voters that foreign allies must show respect for American law and the lives sacrificed for their freedom. The Korean War remains a defining moment in Cold War history, with U.S. forces halting communist aggression and preserving South Korea’s independence.
Calls are increasing for a reassessment of foreign aid and security partnerships with nations that publicly oppose U.S. domestic policies while continuing to rely on American military, trade, and diplomatic support.
