In his fight against terrorism, former chief of the Brandenburg state intelligence service, Jörg Müller, argues that the agency must be empowered to monitor children when necessary. “Security authorities need the ability to observe individuals under the age of 14 if they commit serious crimes or plan terrorist activities” Müller told “Stern” and RTL, adding that the legal framework has to be changed.
He made the remarks in the context of the upcoming trial against eight young people accused of being members of or supporting the right‑wing terrorist group “Letzte Verteidigungswelle”. According to Müller, the intelligence service has had trouble gathering information on very young extremists because existing rules expressly forbid processing or storing data of those under 14. He pointed out that when 12‑year‑olds discuss a “race war” in a chat group, neither the intelligence service nor the police are involved-yet these discussions are precursors to potential violent acts.
“Policemen and intelligence officials should not only act like firefighters, putting out sparks, but should also try to prevent fires before they ignite” Müller said, stressing that staff must be given the necessary tools to stop crimes in advance.
The activities of “Letzte Verteidigungswelle” were exposed in April 2024 through investigative reports by “Stern” and RTL. In early December 2025 the federal attorney general filed charges against several members, including counts of membership in a terrorist organization, attempted murder and conspiracies to commit murder.
Jörg Müller headed the Brandenburg intelligence service from 2020 to 2025. In May 2025 he was placed into provisional retirement after a dispute with then‑Interior Minister Katrin Lange (SPD) over the classification of the AfD. Lange faced criticism following Müller’s removal and eventually resigned.