US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Germany’s Foreign Ministry are in a heated exchange. Rubio accused Germany of behaving like a dictatorship after it labeled the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as an “extremist” group. In response, Germany defended its decision as a necessary step to protect democracy.
Germany Declares AfD an Extremist Party
On Friday, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, BfV, officially classified the AfD as extremist. According to a 1,100-page report, the party promotes racist and anti-Muslim ideas.
The agency stated, “Central to our assessment is the ethnically and ancestrally defined concept of the people that shapes the AfD, which devalues entire segments of the population in Germany and violates their human dignity.”
Notably, this decision came just months after AfD finished second in Germany’s federal elections in February.
Rubio Strongly Opposes the Move
Soon after the BfV announcement, Rubio criticized the decision. He posted on X, “Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That’s not democracy — it’s tyranny in disguise.”
Moreover, he claimed that the AfD is not the real threat. Instead, he blamed immigration policies. He wrote, “The establishment’s deadly open border immigration policies that the AfD opposes” are the true extremists. He urged, “Germany should reverse course.”
Germany Quickly Responds
Shortly after Rubio’s post, Germany’s Foreign Office responded directly on X. It stood by the extremist label and said the process followed democratic principles.
“This is democracy. This decision is the result of a thorough and independent investigation to protect our Constitution and the rule of law. It is independent courts that will have the final say. We have learnt from our history that rightwing extremism needs to be stopped.”
Vice President JD Vance Echoes Rubio
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance supported Rubio’s statement. He also defended the AfD’s popularity and its support in East Germany.
On X, he wrote, “The AfD is the most popular party in Germany, and by far the most representative of East Germany. Now the bureaucrats try to destroy it.”
Furthermore, he added, “The West tore down the Berlin Wall together. And it has been rebuilt — not by the Soviets or the Russians, but by the German establishment.”
The AfD is the most popular party in Germany, and by far the most representative of East Germany. Now the bureaucrats try to destroy it.
The West tore down the Berlin Wall together. And it has been rebuilt—not by the Soviets or the Russians, but by the German establishment. https://t.co/Un6suHtSNJ
— JD Vance (@JDVance) May 2, 2025
BfV Lists Why AfD Is Dangerous
In its report, the BfV gave detailed reasons for classifying AfD as extremist. The agency said the party excludes people from society based on their origin. It argued that AfD promotes unfair treatment and discrimination.
“It aims to exclude certain population groups from equal participation in society, subject them to unconstitutional discrimination, and thus assign them a legally devalued status,” the BfV stated.
Additionally, the agency said the party does not treat Muslim-background Germans as equals. “Specifically, for example, the AfD does not consider German citizens with a migration history from predominantly Muslim countries to be equal members of the German people, as defined ethnically by the party.”
Moreover, the BfV accused AfD leaders of stirring fear and hate. “This is evident in the numerous xenophobic, anti-minority, anti-Islamic, and anti-Muslim statements continually made by leading party officials,” it said.
AfD’s Past Also Raises Concerns
Importantly, this is not the first time Trump allies have defended AfD. Last year, top AfD politician Björn Höcke faced charges for using banned Nazi slogans at two rallies in 2021.
