Andreas Michaelis, has warned that the incoming Trump Administration will rob the U.S. law enforcement and the media of their independence
In a confidential briefing document, Germany’s Ambassador to the United States (U.S.) – Andreas Michaelis, has warned that the incoming Trump Administration will rob the U.S. law enforcement and the media of their independence and hand big tech companies ‘co-governing power’.
The document, dated 14th January’25, outlines President-elect – Donald Trump’s agenda of maximum disruption, centered on concentrating power within the Presidency at the expense of Congress, Federal States, and other pillars of American democracy.
The document reads, “Basic democratic principles and checks and balances will be largely undermined, the legislature, law enforcement and media will be robbed of their independence and misused as a political arm, Big Tech will be given co-governing power.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, speaking to public broadcaster ZDF, defended Michaelis’s assessment, emphasizing that his role as ambassador includes candidly addressing potential diplomatic challenges. She noted that much of what Michaelis highlighted aligns with Trump’s openly stated agenda.
The Foreign Minister of Germany – Annalena Baerbock, said that Michaelis was merely doing his job and that Trump had openly stated much of his agenda. Baerbock also said that Berlin would continue to work closely with the U.S., but of course, it would also want to continue to stand up for its own interests. The outgoing Government of the Chancellor of Germany – Olaf Scholz, has largely refrained from direct public criticism of Trump since the election, but the Ambassador’s confidential assessment offers a blunt view from a senior German official.
The document points to the U.S. Supreme Court as a pivotal player in shaping Trump’s agenda. Although recent court decisions have expanded presidential powers, Michaelis suggests the judiciary may act as a safeguard against extreme measures.
Nonetheless, the Ambassador raises alarms about potential moves to control the Justice Department and FBI, which he claims could enable Trump to pursue mass deportations, retaliate against political adversaries, and secure legal immunity. He also warns of Trump’s ability to deploy federal military forces domestically in the event of declared ‘insurrection’ and ‘invasion’.
Michaelis’s report highlights concerns about the redefinition of First Amendment rights, accusing Trump and the Owner of X – Elon Musk, of targeting critics and non-compliant media outlets.
Michaelis said in the report, “One is using lawsuits, threatening criminal prosecution and licence revocation, the other is having algorithms manipulated and accounts blocked.”
Musk’s endorsement of Germany’s far-right political party – Alternative for Germany (AfD), ahead of the national election on 23rd February’25 has further strained Berlin’s view of the tech billionaire, though the German government has not taken unified action against his platform.
Germany’s relationship with the U.S. faced significant challenges during Trump’s first term, including tariffs and criticism for not meeting the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) targets on defence expenditure.
