The US government has launched a campaign to protect free speech

The US government has launched a campaign to protect free speech

In response to the AfD being labelled as "unequivocally far-right," the US government has considered imposing sanctions on employees of German authorities. The administration under Donald Trump is also scrutinising those German figures who, in the view of the United States, are restricting freedom of expression.

English POLITIKA 2026. JANUÁR 2. 16:51

The United States has imposed sanctions on the leaders of the German organisation HateAid, following revelations that Washington had previously considered measures against German state officials. These actions are set against the backdrop of the classification of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as far-right, alongside European online regulations, particularly the Digital Services Act.

According to Der Spiegel, several former US government officials have confirmed that the administration seriously considered sanctions against German officials involved in monitoring the AfD. Discussions within the State Department specifically focused on travel bans and financial restrictions.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution had earlier classified the AfD as „definitely far-right”, although this designation is currently on hold pending the outcome of the party’s legal challenge. In early May, under the leadership of then-Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, the Federal Ministry of the Interior decided to release an expert report on the AfD without the usual internal review process.

This move has reverberated in Washington. According to multiple sources, the US government perceives the procedure as indicative of a trend towards curtailing political expression.

Just before Christmas, the United States added HateAid’s leader, Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, and her co-chair, Josephine Ballon, to its sanctions list, imposing travel bans on both.

Washington’s rationale suggests that the two leaders are seen as part of a system that restricts freedom of speech on platforms such as X and Facebook. The American viewpoint is that German and European practices overstep democratic boundaries.

Germany is not the only country

The United States’ focus is not solely on Berlin. Sanction considerations also extend to Thierry Breton, the former European Union Commissioner, who played a key role in crafting the Digital Services Act. The US government interprets the legislation as a form of prohibited censorship.

The US State Department issued a statement:

„Anyone who builds their career on curtailing American freedom of expression is not welcome on American soil.”

According to Der Spiegel, Washington has also been considering further measures against France. There has been talk of sanctioning the judges involved in Marine Le Pen’s conviction. The ruling is expected to prevent the leader of the Rassemblement National from standing in the presidential election again.

Washington’s position: „Veiled Tyranny”

While the US State Department has not officially commented on the sanctions issue, Der Spiegel quoted a previous statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio described the surveillance of the AfD as „veiled tyranny.”

Peter Neumann, a security policy expert at King’s College London, believes the issue is far from resolved. He suggested that the American government is primarily concerned not with the Digital Services Act, but with the handling of the AfD.

„The move to ban the AfD would undoubtedly be perceived as a hostile act by the American government,” Neumann told Der Spiegel. He added that such a decision could result in „significant sanctions.”

Support for the AfD from an American Perspective

Since Donald Trump assumed office in January, ties between the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and political circles in the United States have notably strengthened. In recent months, several AfD politicians have travelled to Washington for discussions with lawmakers and government officials. The party’s leaders view the new national security strategy of the American government as a milestone, warning of the threat of Europe’s “civilisational disappearance” due to migration.

Many within the AfD’s orbit interpret the strategy as political backing. Marina Henke, director of the International Security Centre at the Hertie School in Berlin, states that the document sends a clear message: “The current strategy can be seen as a declaration of support for parties like the AfD across Europe.”

Washington Urges Berlin to Exercise Caution

The political shift in Washington is also resonating in Germany. Experts suggest that the US State Department has advised Berlin to be cautious about any potential ban on the AfD. The department has also instructed the American embassy in Berlin to maintain regular contact with the party.

This directive led to a meeting between Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD, and Alan Meltzer, the acting US representative in Germany. Meltzer currently serves as Washington’s chief envoy in Berlin in the absence of an ambassador.

When questioned about the US stance on the AfD, Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked that it is the duty of the US State Department to “understand the full political spectrum of countries worldwide, including those with which we are allied.”

Signs of rapprochement appeared as early as the start of Trump’s second term. In February, Vice President JD Vance addressed the Munich Security Conference and subsequently met with Alice Weidel outside the event, despite the AfD not being invited.

In his speech, Vance sharply criticised the so-called “firewall,” referring to the political practice where mainstream German parties refuse to cooperate with the AfD. He argued that this approach ignores the will of the electorate, particularly on immigration issues.

Later, in a Wall Street Journal interview on 14 February, Vance commented that European leaders “too often disregard the views of their own citizens” when attempting to isolate or exclude political parties.

Regarding the 2026 Munich Security Conference, there is already speculation that the AfD might receive an official invitation. A spokesperson for the organisers confirmed their aim to invite all parties represented in the Bundestag, including the AfD. However, they emphasised that the conference is independent and cannot be compelled to issue any invitations.

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