German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was concerned about the “level of use of force” in the United States following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal agents in Minneapolis and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Speaking at a press conference in Hamburg, Merz said recent news from the U.S. had been “worrying” and that he expected American authorities to examine whether it was necessary to fire shots and whether there was a real threat to officers involved. “In any case, I have to say I find this level of use of force in the U.S. seems worrying to me, to put it that way,” Merz said.
Germany’s Merz on Minnesota:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) January 26, 2026
I find the news we've been getting from the USA in the last few days indeed worrying. And it's obviously always one region or one city that is affected.
I assume that the American authorities will now really clarify whether it was necessary to… pic.twitter.com/LioD2uGt8Z
Merz’s remarks came amid protests and national debate in the U.S. after a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis resulted in the death of a 37-year-old man, and followed an earlier fatal shooting in the city this month.
He said he assumed that American authorities would “now thoroughly investigate whether it was necessary to shoot shots” and whether officers faced a legitimate threat.
The comments reflect growing international attention to U.S. law enforcement tactics and the recent fatal incidents involving federal agents in Minneapolis.
