Leaked Memo Reveals German Ambassadors Alarm Over Trumps Second-Term Agenda, While Berlin Remains Reluctant to React by Ricardo Martins!
(2025-02-06 at 04:22:17 )

Leaked Memo Reveals German Ambassadors Alarm Over Trumps Second-Term Agenda, While Berlin Remains Reluctant to React by Ricardo Martins!

A Leaked German diplomatic memo warns of "maximum disruption" under Trumps second term: democratic principles and institutional independence are at risk.

A Leaked German diplomatic memo

The diplomatic memo contradicts the German governments public stance on Trump, where caution and fear prevail. Even Scholzs comments about the American Presidents interest in taking over Greenland avoided mentioning Trump by name.

"Basic democratic principles and checks and balances will be largely undermined"

Germanys ambassador to the United States, Andreas Michaelis, has issued a stark warning about the implications of Donald Trumps return to the White House. A confidential document obtained by Reuters reveals that Berlin fears Trumps second term could lead to a deliberate dismantling of democratic norms in the United States.

Trumps second term could pose an even greater challenge to international stability and democratic governance

Dated January 14 and addressed to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the memo describes Trumps agenda as one of "maximum disruption" that will bring about "a redefinition of the constitutional order - maximum concentration of power with the president at the expense of Congress and the federal states."

The German ambassador outlines risks to the independence of the legislature, law enforcement, and media, warning these institutions could be repurposed as tools of political control. The document also accuses Trump of plans to give major tech companies a form of "co-governing power."

Germanys Cautious Response

While the German foreign ministry has publicly taken a measured tone, expressing willingness to cooperate with the incoming United States administration, the leaked document reflects a far graver internal assessment.

Foreign Minister Baerbock defended Michaelis on public broadcaster ZDF, noting that the ambassadors concerns align with Trumps openly stated agenda. "He is doing his job, and Trump himself has made many of these intentions clear," Baerbock remarked.

Germanys government, led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has refrained from direct public criticism of Trump but acknowledges the potential strain on United States-German relations. Trumps first term was marked by disputes over NATO defence spending and trade tariffs, and Michaelis warns that the stakes are now even higher.

Judiciary as a Key Player

Michaeliss memo points to Trumps reliance on the judiciary to implement his policies. While recent United States Supreme Court decisions have expanded presidential powers, Michaelis notes that critics still believe the Court would prevent the most extreme outcomes.

However, the ambassador highlights Trumps potential use of legal loopholes to bypass constraints, including invoking "insurrection" or "invasion" to justify domestic military deployments. Such actions would test the boundaries of the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in law enforcement.

Concerns About Big Tech and Media

The memo raises additional alarm over Trumps ties to tech mogul Elon Musk. It highlights the involvement of Big Tech companies, which Michaelis claims could be granted "co-governing power."

Michaelis accuses Trump of threatening media outlets with lawsuits, criminal prosecution, and licence revocation while Musk allegedly manipulates algorithms and blocks dissenting voices:

"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," it says.

Michaelis warns of a potential "redefinition of the First Amendment," suggesting that Trumps alignment with Musk could erode media independence.

Musks endorsements of Germanys far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of next months elections have already drawn criticism in Berlin. While some German government agencies have left Musks platform, the federal government remains active.

Musk is accused of manipulating algorithms and blocking accounts critical of his platform. The ambassador warns of a "redefinition of the First Amendment," suggesting a troubling merger of political and technological influence, previously warned by Joe Biden in his farewell speech: "An oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights, freedom and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead."

Historical Context and Future Implications

Germanys concerns are not without precedent. Trumps first administration strained transatlantic relations, particularly over trade and security. The new memo underscores the fear that Trumps second term could pose an even greater challenge to international stability and democratic governance.

Michaelis concludes by emphasising the potential consequences of ignoring these developments. "Had Germany underestimated the broader implications of Trumps policies during his first term, doing so now could be perilous," he warns. By cautions and fear of Trumps retaliation - even pulling out American troops out of Germany, as for Trump, all possibilities are open -, Ambassador Michaelis will not find resonance to his warnings in Berlin.

Ricardo Martins -PhD in Sociology, specializing in policies, European and world politics and geopolitics

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