Germany's ambassador to the United States, Andreas Michaelis, has warned that the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump will strip the country's law enforcement agencies and media of their independence and hand over "co-governance power" to big tech companies.

This was reported by Reuters, citing a confidential document.


In a document signed by Michaelis on January 14, Trump's program for his second presidential term is described as a program of "maximum disruption" that will lead to "a redefinition of the constitutional order - the maximum concentration of power in the president at the expense of Congress and the federal states."

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“Basic democratic principles and the principles of checks and balances will be significantly undermined, the legislature, law enforcement agencies, and the media will be deprived of their independence and used as a political tool, and the largest technology companies will gain co-management of the state,” the document states.

The German ambassador also mentions the judiciary, especially the US Supreme Court, as a central part of Trump's attempts to implement his plan. At the same time, it is noted that despite the recent court decision to expand the president's powers, "even the biggest critics assume that this can prevent the worst."




Michaelis sees control of the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation as key to Trump achieving his political and personal goals, including mass deportations, retaliation against perceived enemies, and legal impunity.

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According to the German diplomat, the newly elected US president has broad legal authority to impose his program on the states, stating that “even military deployment within the country for police action would be possible in the event of a declared ‘insurrection’ and ‘invasion.’” The publication noted that the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prohibits federal military personnel from participating in domestic law enforcement, with certain exceptions.

Michaelis also envisions a “redefinition of the First Amendment,” saying that Trump and billionaire Elon Musk are already taking action against critics and media companies that are not cooperating.

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“One uses lawsuits, threatens criminal prosecution and license revocation, the other manipulates algorithms and blocks accounts,” the document says.

Trump's transition team did not comment on the German ambassador's assessment.

In turn, German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock said on January 19 that Berlin “will continue to work closely [with the US], but of course we also want to continue to defend our own interests.” Asked to explain the German ambassador’s position on Trump, Berbock said that Michaelis was simply doing his job and that the US president had openly stated most of his plan.