Overview
- ARD’s Maischberger returned on January 6 with Sigmar Gabriel, Armin Laschet and military expert Claudia Major to assess security ramifications of the strike in Venezuela.
- At ZDF’s Markus Lanz the same night, SPD parliamentary leader Matthias Miersch called President Trump’s action clearly in violation of international law and a dangerous precedent.
- Caracas-based journalist Rosalí Hernández told Lanz the events “surprised us all” and said she does not expect major changes on the ground.
- Coverage repeatedly described the operation as legally highly controversial, with ZDF’s Washington chief Elmar Theveßen outlining U.S. public reactions and possible next steps in the Maduro case.
- A follow-up Lanz program on January 7 examined China’s influence, U.S. interest in Greenland and CDU strategy, while Daniel Günther’s call to bar under‑16s from social media drew sharp online backlash.