Official records and announcements from the U.S. Congress

German Ambassador Andreas Michaelis Warns Trump's 'Maximum Disruption' Will Undermine U.S. Democracy, Grant Big Tech 'Co-Governing Power'

Jan 19, 2025, 04:53 PM

Germany's ambassador to the United States, Andreas Michaelis, has warned in a confidential document dated January 14 that the incoming Trump administration will undermine the independence of U.S. law enforcement and the media, and grant big tech companies 'co-governing power'. The document describes Trump's agenda as one of 'maximum disruption', aiming to concentrate power in the hands of the president at the expense of Congress and the federal states. Michaelis expressed concerns that fundamental democratic principles and checks and balances would be significantly undermined, with the legislature, law enforcement, and media being misused as political arms. The German Foreign Ministry, while not commenting on the document, emphasized the importance of the U.S. as an ally and the intention to work closely with the new administration.