Denmark Sets Up Nighttime Watch System to Track President Trump After Arctic Dispute
Taking action reminiscent of TV series guards, the Danish foreign affairs department has created a nighttime monitoring team—far from guarding against fantasy threats, but to monitor the US president while Denmark is asleep.
This night monitoring begins at 5 p.m. local time daily and ends with a summary produced at 7 a.m., which is then circulated across government departments and relevant offices detailing statements made and developments that occurred.
The role is understood to have been established following the bilateral dispute between Denmark and Washington regarding Greenland this spring, when the US president threatened taking control of the strategic territory.
Observers note that this initiative is one of multiple examples of how Danish diplomacy and its government administration have had to adapt to the changed landscape of the Trump's current term.
A source close to the ministry stated, “It is fair to say that the circumstances in Greenland and the time difference between Copenhagen and the US was a significant factor introducing this arrangement during the spring.”
Rather than everybody having to promptly check their devices to stay informed on updates from the US, the ministry said it had made a collective effort to stay updated on the president's actions.
An expert, a former chief analyst at the defense intelligence service, commented that this move demonstrated, “as we have always known,” that the idea of the US as Denmark’s largest and most important ally was no longer valid. “Partnerships are built on shared principles and a mutual view of threats,” he said. “The president shares neither of those with Denmark and it can be said he doesn't share it with most Europeans.”
