Kobakhidze Addresses Trump: Talk of Defeating the “Deep State” Feels Like a Rebranding
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister of Georgia, has penned an open letter to U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. In it, he claims that “to date, there has been no high-level communication between the Georgian and U.S. governments.”
Kobakhidze questions why “sanctions remain in place against Georgian officials who effectively thwarted an attempted revolution and violence allegedly planned by the Biden administration and funded by USAID.”
He goes on to say that recent developments in Georgian society raise the suspicion that declarations about defeating the so-called “Deep State” are simply a rebranding effort, rather than a true break from it.
“Given that Georgia has long been a strategic partner of the United States—and continues to express readiness to restore such a partnership—the silence of the new administration is surprising, both to the Georgian government and to the Georgian people,” Kobakhidze writes.
He is particularly critical of the U.S. House of Representatives’ recent passage of the MEGOBARI Act.
“A few days ago, the U.S. Congress passed an absurd law—the so-called ‘MEGOBARI Act’—which is saturated with hostility toward the Georgian people and their elected government. Considering the word ‘friend,’ this law reminds us of George Orwell’s doublespeak—where war is peace, and enemies are friends. While we have grown accustomed to absurd legislation from various parliaments, we would have ignored the ‘MEGOBARI Act’ were it not for the perception that it is supported by your administration. This impression is only strengthened by your administration’s lack of criticism of the Act. As a result, this legislation has not only undermined trust in the U.S. Congress but, unfortunately, also in your administration—an administration that many in Georgian society had placed their hopes in,” Kobakhidze stated.
On May 6, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the MEGOBARI Act with 349 votes in favour, including 168 Republicans and 181 Democrats. The bill now proceeds to the Senate for consideration. In response to its passage, Kobakhidze claimed that “at this particular moment, the Deep State has defeated the Trump administration.”
For months, the ruling Georgian Dream party and its aligned media have been promoting conspiracy theories suggesting that the EU and U.S. are controlled by the “Deep State” and a “Global War Party”—accusing them of instigating the 2008 Georgia-Russia war and later blaming them for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Rally Held in Tbilisi on Europe Day: “Strength is in Europe, strength is in unity”
On May 9, a rally was held at Europe Square in Tbilisi under the slogan: “Strength is in Europe, strength is in unity.”
The demonstration officially began at 19:00, though citizens started gathering at various locations around Tbilisi as early as 17:00 before marching toward Europe Square. Political parties and a wide range of civic groups—including writers, publishers, cultural figures, and students—participated in the event.
A group of demonstrators marching toward Metekhi Bridge was verbally harassed by supporters of the ruling party, Georgian Dream.
“We all know very well that our freedom begins and ends with Europe. There is no freedom, prosperity, or peace with Russia. Our path is so clear that people come to these rallies without any invitation—they simply stand here. Victory and a return to the European path are inevitable. No one can stop this,” said Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili.
On the same day, at a separate event marking Europe Day, EU Ambassador Pavel Herchinsky warned that if the current situation in Georgia does not change, the country risks losing its opportunity for EU membership for a long time.
Kobakhidze on the MEGOBARI Act: “At a Specific Moment, the Deep State Overcame the Trump Administration”
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has linked the passage of the MEGOBARI Act by the U.S. House of Representatives to what he refers to as the “Deep State.”
Calling the MEGOBARI Act “absolutely hostile,” Kobakhidze claimed that certain members of Congress are not aligned with former President Donald Trump but are instead influenced by the Deep State. He specifically named Congressman Joe Wilson, labeling him as “Deep State from beginning to end.”
“I will answer very briefly regarding the MEGOBARI Act. In reality, this is an absolutely hostile act. Once again, we see the Orwellian approach where friend is enemy, war is peace, and so on. How can an act so thoroughly hostile to the Georgian people and the government they elected be called the ‘MEGOBARI’ Act? This is, without doubt, a hostile act,” said the Prime Minister of Georgia.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the MEGOBARI Act with support from 349 members—168 Republicans and 181 Democrats—while 42 voted against it, including 34 Republicans and 8 Democrats. The bill will now move to the Senate for further discussion and voting.
Adjara Police Chief on Mzia Amaglobeli: “I Experienced Pain”
Irakli Dgebuadze, the head of the Adjara Police Department and the alleged victim in the case against journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, was questioned during the trial proceedings.
During his testimony, Dgebuadze claimed that Mzia Amaglobeli—founder and editor of Batumelebi and Netgazeti—struck him once on the right side of his face, causing visible redness and pain. He recalled screaming after being hit and noted that his cheek remained red for about half an hour. According to him, several colleagues noticed the injury and remarked, “Wow, what a mess you’ve got.”
“When we went upstairs to the workroom, there’s a mirror at the entrance. I was curious why so many people were asking me about my ear. Later, I noticed redness, which I recorded with the investigator during the interrogation,” said Dgebuadze. “Several employees in the yard also mentioned it 15–20 minutes later. About half an hour after the incident, I could still see the redness around my ear.”
Dgebuadze expressed frustration that the pain he experienced had become a subject of mockery in the public sphere.
He also denied claims made by Mzia Amaglobeli and the Public Defender alleging inhumane treatment following her arrest. Dgebuadze specifically denied accusations that he spat on her or that she was denied access to a toilet or drinking water for several hours. “I gave no such instructions to any of my staff,” he stated.
Mzia Amaglobeli was arrested on January 11 on charges of assaulting the police chief. On January 14, Batumi City Court Judge Nino Ismashvili granted the prosecutor’s motion and ordered her pre-trial detention as a preventive measure.
Amaglobeli launched a hunger strike following her arrest, which lasted 38 days. On February 18, it was reported that she had begun receiving medical assistance and was being re-fed under doctors’ supervision.