Top-ranking officials in the Trump administration have criticized Germany's domestic intelligence agency, BfV, for designating the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a "right-wing extremist" entity. The BfV stated that the AfD's positions on ethnicity are incompatible with democracy, citing the party's aim to exclude certain population groups from equal participation in society and its use of hateful rhetoric and incitement to undermine democratic institutions.

The BfV had previously designated local AfD branches as right-wing extremist groups but extended the label to the entire party due to its attempts to undermine the democratic order. This designation grants authorities greater powers to monitor the party's activities, a move the AfD has denounced as "politically motivated."

US Vice President JD Vance accused Germany of rebuilding a "Berlin Wall," referencing his February meeting with AfD leader Alice Weidel in Munich, where he criticized European nations for failing to defend free speech and called for an end to the ostracization of the AfD. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed these sentiments, calling the AfD designation "tyranny in disguise" and urging Germany to reverse course.

The German Foreign Ministry responded directly to Rubio, asserting that the decision was the result of a thorough and independent investigation to protect the constitution and could be appealed. The ministry emphasized the lessons learned from history regarding the need to stop right-wing extremism.

Founded in 2013, the AfD has gained popularity by capitalizing on fears over migration and has become Germany's largest opposition party, securing over 20% of the vote in February's election. Despite this, the AfD remains excluded from government due to other parties' refusal to collaborate with it because of its extremist tendencies. The spy agency's decision may provide new momentum for efforts to ban the AfD, though legal hurdles remain high due to Germany's history.