• German Ambassador Andreas Michaelis warns of extreme changes under Trump's administration.
• Confidential brief expresses fears of an erosion of checks and balances in U.S. governance.
• Concerns raised about the influence of Big Tech in shaping U.S. political landscape.

In a confidential document dated January 14, Germany's ambassador to the United States, Andreas Michaelis, has raised alarm bells regarding the incoming Trump administration, warning that it plans to undermine the independence of U.S. law enforcement and media, while granting significant "co-governing power" to large technology companies. This assessment highlights what Michaelis categorizes as a move towards "maximum disruption" that would lead to a profound redefinition of the U.S. constitutional order, consolidating authority within the presidency at the expense of Congress and state governments.

Michaelis's document contends that fundamental democratic principles and the established checks and balances will be severely compromised. It asserts that major institutions such as the legislature, law enforcement, and the media will be manipulated as political instruments, with Big Tech positioned to play a pivotal role in governance, stating that "Big Tech will be given co-governing power" [Reuters].

The German Foreign Ministry responded to the ambassador's remarks by noting that U.S. voters made their choice in a democratic election, emphasizing a commitment to continue working closely with the new administration, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has largely refrained from publicly criticizing Trump throughout the electoral process.

The ambassador's document points to the judiciary, notably the U.S. Supreme Court, as central to Trump’s overarching goals, which may include mass deportations and retaliation against political adversaries. It emphasizes that Trump potentially possesses extensive legal avenues to enact his policies at the state level, including controversial options like military deployment for domestic law enforcement, should he declare conditions of "insurrection" or "invasion," in contravention of the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act.

Additionally, the ambassador predicts a troubling "redefinition of the First Amendment," indicating that actions being taken by both Trump and billionaire owner of social media platform X, Elon Musk, against dissenters and non-compliant media organizations represent a serious threat to free speech. He noted, "One is using lawsuits, threatening criminal prosecution and license revocation, the other is having algorithms manipulated and accounts blocked" [SCMP].

In a period marked by a historically fraught relationship between the U.S. and Germany, especially during Trump's first term, the German government has expressed its intent to proceed cautiously as it navigates the implications of this upcoming administration.

For more on the original document and its implications, see USA Today.