Germany’s ambassador to the United States has expressed concerns that the forthcoming Trump administration may undermine the independence of U.S. law enforcement and the media, while granting significant influence to major technology companies. This warning is detailed in a confidential document reviewed by Reuters.

Dated January 14 and authored by Ambassador Andreas Michaelis, the briefing outlines Donald Trump’s objectives for his anticipated second term as one characterized by “maximum disruption,” which could lead to a “redefinition of the constitutional order” that concentrates power in the presidency at the expense of Congress and state governments.

The document states that “fundamental democratic principles and checks and balances will be significantly weakened,” with the legislature, law enforcement, and media potentially being politicized and stripped of their autonomy, while Big Tech is positioned to gain co-governing authority.

Trump’s transition team has not yet responded to the ambassador’s remarks. The German foreign ministry acknowledged that U.S. voters elected Trump through a democratic process and expressed a commitment to collaborating closely with the new U.S. administration for the benefit of Germany and Europe.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s outgoing government has largely avoided overt public criticism of Trump since the election; however, the ambassador’s confidential insights provide a candid perspective from a high-ranking German official. Typically, ambassadors remain in their positions during a new administration unless a change is warranted for diplomatic reasons.

The document highlights the judiciary, particularly the U.S. Supreme Court, as pivotal to Trump’s efforts to advance his agenda, noting that while the court has recently expanded presidential powers, “even the most vocal critics believe it will mitigate the worst outcomes.”

Michaelis views the control of the Justice Department and the FBI as crucial for Trump to achieve his political and personal ambitions, which include mass deportations, revenge against perceived adversaries, and legal immunity. He asserts that Trump possesses extensive legal avenues to impose his agenda on the states, suggesting that “even military deployment for law enforcement purposes could be feasible in the case of a declared ‘insurrection’ or ‘invasion.'”

The 1878 Posse Comitatus Act restricts federal military involvement in domestic law enforcement, although there are certain exceptions. Michaelis also anticipates a “redefinition of the First Amendment,” noting that Trump and billionaire Elon Musk are already taking measures against critics and media outlets that do not comply. “One is utilizing lawsuits, threatening criminal charges and license revocation, while the other is manipulating algorithms and blocking accounts,” he states in the document.

Musk’s ongoing support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in advance of the February 23 national election has sparked backlash in Berlin, yet the government has refrained from a unanimous departure from his platform. Berlin experienced a particularly strained relationship with the United States during Trump’s first term, facing significant tariffs and criticism for not meeting NATO’s defense spending targets.