A douchebag by any other name..

US defends Trump’s man in Berlin: ‘Americans have the right to free speech’

American envoys ‘have the right to express their opinions,’ State Department official said.

By YASMINE SALAM

The U.S. State Department defended America’s envoy to Germany Richard Grenell over his controversial interview with alt-right news site Breitbart, with a spokeswoman saying ambassadors “have the right to express their opinions.”

“Don’t we as Americans have the right to free speech?” the State Department’s Heather Nauert said on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

Grenell told Breitbart he wants to “empower” other anti-establishment conservatives around Europe to rise up against “elites.” He also said he’s a “big fan” of Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz from the right-wing Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP).

“What Ambassador Grenell was doing was merely highlighting that there are some parties and candidates in Europe who are doing well right now,” Nauert said.

Grenell’s comments prompted German politicians to call on the U.S. to withdraw the ambassador.

“The idea that I’d endorse candidates/parties is ridiculous,” Grenell tweeted in response to the criticism. “I stand by my comments that we are experiencing an awakening from the silent majority — those who reject the elites & their bubble. Led by Trump.”