German envoy warns: Trump and Musk threaten US democracy
The German ambassador, Andreas Michaelis, warns about the consequences of the governments of Donald Trump and Elon Musk in the USA. The document, dated 14 January, highlights potential changes in the constitutional order and threats to democracy.
In his document dated 14 January, the German ambassador, Andreas Michaelis, expressed concerns about the future of the United States under the leadership of Donald Trump and Elon Musk. This document, according to Reuters, suggests possible alterations to the US constitutional order, which could lead to "a redefinition of the constitutional order - maximum concentration of power with the president at the expense of Congress and the federal states".
Threats to democracy
"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," the document states.
Michaelis emphasises that control over the Department of Justice and the FBI is crucial for Trump in pursuing his political and personal goals, such as mass deportations or taking revenge on alleged enemies. The ambassador also anticipates a "redefinition of the First Amendment," which could affect freedom of speech and the press.
Actions against critics
According to the document, Trump and Musk are already taking measures against critics and media companies that do not cooperate with them. One method involves filing lawsuits, threatening criminal proceedings, and revoking licenses; the other involves manipulating algorithms and blocking accounts.
In official communications, the German Foreign Office stressed that voters in the USA elected Trump in democratic elections and will work closely with the new US administration in the interest of Germany and Europe. Meanwhile, German media noted that Elon Musk expressed support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), sparking anger in Berlin.
All these events occur in the context of the upcoming expedited Bundestag elections, further intensifying the political atmosphere in Germany. The outgoing government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refrained from directly criticising Trump. Still, the ambassador's confidential assessment—as the media believes—reflects the candid view of a high-ranking German official.
