News
After Trump Announcement of Withdrawal From Iran Deal New Ambassador Threatens Germany

After President Donald Trump announced he is pulling the U.S. out of the Obama administration’s Iran deal, his newly-sworn in Ambassador to Germany threatened Germany.
Trump addressed the nation and the world Tuesday afternoon, claiming the Iran deal the prevents Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons actually allows them to obtain nuclear weapons – which is false.
And despite urging from America’s closest European allies, Trump pulled the plug.
During his speech – which was high on rhetoric, short on substance, and totally absent any real path forward – Trump announced: “We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States. America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail.”
Shortly after, Ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, threatened Germany.
As @realDonaldTrump said, US sanctions will target critical sectors of Iran’s economy. German companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately.
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) May 8, 2018
Notice the difference in language.
Trump said, “Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned.”
Grenell says, “German companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately.”
Several on social media called out Grenell, who has a history of caustic tweets:
Grenell starts his mission with all the subtle diplomatic skills he demonstrated with his twitter account https://t.co/aNSwasVtya
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) May 8, 2018
Trump’s lies quickly followed by threats, such as US Ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell…. pic.twitter.com/tNiXGfkBmu
— Doublespeak (@2DoubleSpeak) May 8, 2018
Grenell quickly rising to the top of the “US Ambassador most likely to be declared persona non grata” table.
— Wendell Albright (@WendellAlbright) May 8, 2018
Oh, that’s a welcoming message from the new ambassador to Germany. Grenell always was and remains a total jerk.
— leon pascucci (@LPeterP) May 8, 2018
or what? we’ll sanction our allies? Does Grenell even know if that is our policy?
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) May 8, 2018
There’s good reasons Democrats opposed Grenell as Ambassador to Germany. He’s a jackass, as his “instructions” to German companies show. GOP, all this chaos is on you.
— leon pascucci (@LPeterP) May 8, 2018
Apparently there was some delay in confirming your appointment as US Ambassador to Germany, Mr Grenell. Think I’m beginning to see why. It might be because you are a monumental asshat.
— Joe_Republic (@JATelco) May 8, 2018
Image: Ambassador Richard Grenell (left) with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, photo by usbotschaftberlin via Flickr and a CC license
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |