Trump’s Fascist Envoy to Germany
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
Trump regime geopolitical officials comprise a rogue’s gallery of far-right extremists, Richard Grenell the latest.
Since assuming office as US ambassador to Germany in May, he stirred controversy.
Interviewed at his official Berlin residence by hard-right Breitbart News on June 3, he enraged his host country saying:
“There are a lot of conservatives throughout Europe who have contacted me to say they are feeling there is a resurgence going on.”
“I absolutely want to empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders. I think there is a groundswell of conservative policies that are taking hold because of the failed policies of the left.”
Grenell’s remarks breached diplomatic protocol, suggesting he’d work against governments not meeting his hardline standards – perhaps including Germany’s.
Ambassadors are expected to be politically neutral in their host countries, surely avoiding criticism of their governance and others like it in other countries.
The so-called “left” in Western societies is practically nonexistent – in America, Canada, Britain, and throughout Europe, the triumph of neoliberal harshness over social justice.
Grenell-style “conservatives” are hostile to immigrants of the wrong race, ethnicity or nationality. They support corporate favoritism, tax cuts for the rich, deregulation, endless wars of aggression for conquest and dominance, along with police state harshness on nonbelievers.
Grenell has a long history of undiplomatic comments and actions. Saying he wants to empower other conservatives throughout Europe suggests he’ll work against governments and leaders less extremist than himself.
Angela Merkel’s government asked him to clarify his comments. MPs criticized him. Social Democrat (SPD) party parliamentarian Metin Hakverdi slammed him, saying “I am irritated to hear from Ambassador Grenell about our allegedly failed policies,” adding:
He’s “new on his post, and I hope this irritation will not be repeated.” SDP general secretary Lars Klingbeil stressed “it is not part of the job description of an ambassador to interfere in the politics of his guest country.”
Grenell will have to explain what he meant during his first official Foreign Ministry visit later this week.
It’s bad enough for his remarks to reflect his own extremist views. If speaking for the Trump regime, it’s another matter entirely – likely some of both with far-right lunatics infesting Washington.
A Final Comment
Straightaway as US ambassador to Germany, Grenell offended Merkel’s government – telling German companies to cease dealing with Iran, tweeting:
“US Sanctions will target critical sectors of Iran’s economy. German companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately.”
In response, former German envoy to Washington and Britain Wolfgang Ischinger tweeted:
“Explain your own country’s policies, and lobby the host country – but never tell the host country what to do, if you want to stay out of trouble. Germans are eager to listen, but they will resent instructions.”
So does German industry and its counterparts throughout Europe – resentful about Washington telling them who not to do business with.
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