German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has voiced concern about the state of democracy in the United States. “This country has changed so fundamentally over the past years, and perhaps decades, that rules are no longer being respected, parliamentary democracy is under pressure, freedom of expression is being questioned, and repression is being exerted on the independence of the judiciary,” Merz said on Friday at an event in Berlin.
“These changes did not come overnight, and they will not disappear in a day,” the Chancellor added. “They will not suddenly vanish with the next elections.” Merz emphasized that he intends to ensure “that at least we in the Federal Republic of Germany, together with our European partners in the European Union, remain an open, liberal, democratic, market-oriented and, above all, free society.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has, since taking office in January, acted in an unprecedented manner against the media and political opponents. Following the fatal attack on far-right activist Charlie Kirk, his administration has further intensified its crackdown on critics. Trump has sued The New York Times for alleged defamation, seeking $15 billion (about €12.7 billion) in damages.
He also welcomed the decision by broadcaster ABC to temporarily suspend comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show after Kimmel criticized the Trump camp’s response to the Kirk attack. The President called for two other satirists’ shows to be taken off air as well.
On Thursday, U.S. prosecutors indicted Trump critic and former FBI director James Comey on alleged “serious crimes.” The President, who just days earlier had publicly urged the Justice Department to take action against Comey and other opponents, welcomed the move and expressed hope for further proceedings against his critics.
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