Denmark Sets Up Special Monitoring Operation to Observe President Trump After Arctic Dispute

Taking action inspired by TV series guards, the Danish foreign ministry has created a night watch unit—far from to fend off mythical threats, but to monitor the US president while Copenhagen is asleep.

This night monitoring begins at 5pm in Denmark daily and ends with a report compiled at 7 a.m., which is then distributed throughout government departments and relevant agencies covering what was said and events that occurred.

This position is believed to have been established following the bilateral row involving Copenhagen and the US regarding the Arctic island earlier this year, when the American leader threatened taking control of the strategic territory.

Analysts note that this initiative is among multiple examples of how Denmark's foreign policy and its government administration have had to adjust to the new reality of the second Trump administration.

A source familiar with the foreign office stated, “It is fair to say that the circumstances in Greenland and the time zone gap separating Denmark and the United States was quite an important factor prompting this arrangement during the spring.”

Rather than all staff having to immediately check their phones to catch up on news from the United States, the foreign office explained it had undertaken a coordinated approach to stay updated on the president's activities.

An expert, a ex- chief analyst at the Danish defence intelligence agency, commented that this move showed, “as we have always known,” that the notion of the United States as Denmark's primary partner was no longer valid. “Alliances are founded on common values and a common threat perception,” he added. “Trump shares neither of those with us and I would argue he lacks it with the majority of Europe.”

John Newton
John Newton

A film critic with over a decade of experience, specializing in indie cinema and international film festivals.