Merz in Washington: Chancellor is looking for the wire to Trump despite the storm on Capitol

Merz in Washington: Chancellor is looking for the wire to Trump despite the storm on Capitol

Friedrich Merz, the chairman of the CDU, had already emphasized in November 2020 that he would deal with Donald Trump. At that time, Merz strived to become CDU boss, but had failed the first time he tried. At that time, his statement caused mixed reactions within the CDU, since some members saw them as trivialization of Trump's behavior. With Trump's refusal to recognize his election defeat against Joe Biden, and the storm on the Capitol new food. These events confirmed the doubts of many CDU members to Trump's presidency.

Currently, the political actors in Berlin hope that the Federal Chancellor can conduct a constructive dialogue with the US president during his upcoming visit to Washington, D.C. However, the context of his visit is in the shadow of historical events that took place on January 6, 2021, as followers Trump stormed the Capitol to prevent the formal confirmation of Joe Biden's election victory.

The effects of the Capitol storm

The Capitol storming had serious consequences: five people died and 140 police officers were injured. As a result, almost 1,500 people were charged with their role in the riots. Michael Sparks was one of the first to enter the building, and was sentenced to $ 53 months in March 2024 for resistance to state power and breach of the peace and a fine of $ 2,000. A judge in Washington described him as a "green traffic light" for subsequent demonstrators.

Trump himself faces four charges because of his role in the events of January 6, 2021. His persistent false statements about election fraud and the events in the Capitol have not only political, but also legal consequences.

The upcoming visit of the Federal Chancellor in Washington, i.e.C., is therefore not only accompanied by the political expectations in Germany, but also by a strongly historic background that continues to influence German-American relationships.