Germany: Ambassador’s classified report leaked in Washington that catapults the new Trump government

Salos has been challenged in , as today (20.01.2025) the classified report of the German ambassador in Washington was leaked to the German news agency, a few hours before his inauguration , in which he strongly criticizes the policy of the new President of the United States. “Redefining constitutional order” and “subverting basic democratic principles” Donald Trump’s policy will bring, estimates Germany’s ambassador to Washington, Andreas Michaelis, to this report, which has provoked reactions in Germany, with Foreign Minister Annanna Burbok, to defend him saying he “did his duty”. CORVERSE According to the dpa, in his report Mr. Michaelis warns that Donald Trump’s agenda “for the maximum upset, the dissolution of the established political order and bureaucratic structures, as well as his plans for revenge, ultimately mean a redefining of constitutional order.” The German diplomat also predicts that “the basic democratic principles and controls and balances will be largely undermined, the legislature, law enforcement and media will be deprived of their independence and will become the subject of political exploitation, while powerful technology entrepreneurs will gain government power.” The text refers to “a desire for revenge”, “retribution”, “massive deportations, “the abolition of independent justice” and “maximum concentration of power in the hands of the president, at the expense of Congress and the states”. CORVERSE Foreign Minister Annalena Burbok defended Mr. Michaelis, stating that the report describes what happened in the past, this is the Ambassador’s duty: “During the campaign in the US only half truths were told. And of course the embassies and this is their job, they say what issues we must prepare for, especially when there is a change of government. That’s what Mr. Michaelis did.” Furthermore, President Trump has already announced interventions in justice and legal matters,” the minister said and added that “of course we should prepare for it”, while clarifying that “the US remains Germany’s closest partner”. “ We want to continue close cooperation. But of course we also want to defend our own values,” Annana Burbok stressed, in an interview with the second German public television channel ZDF. How did the Ministry react? Responding to relevant questions the foreign ministry spokesman, Sebastian Fisher, explained earlier that ambassadors “report developments in their country without prejudice” and referred to “tens of such reports every day” from German embassies around the world. “These references are then incorporated into the decision-making process and are an element which ultimately affects the coordination of German foreign policy,” added Mr. Fisher and, asked if the Foreign Minister is planning to visit Washington soon in order to meet with her new counterpart, said: “We will certainly have contact with the new American Foreign Minister in the near future. But you know we won’t comment on travel plans until these are really imminent (…) But first we will communicate with each other in a different way.” Asked whether Andreas Michaelis is still considered the right person for the position of German ambassador in Washington, Mr. Fisher said that he is a very experienced diplomat and stressed that it is the duty of the ambassadors to convey trends and developments to the country they are in. “ If we stop sending reports now, fearing that confidential information will be leaked, then we as the federal government and ministry Foreign countries will lose our eyes and ears to the world and no one wants this,” the German official said and added: “Republics like ours depend on people who think and analyze without limits. This applies to our foreign delegations around the world. I mean, ambassadors put their ears on the ground in their host countries and then report on it – regardless of whether we then share it one by one or not. It is important to report and give us their appreciation from the field.”