The Danish government has established a “night watch” at its Ministry of Foreign Affairs to keep track of President Donald Trump’s actions and statements while the nation sleeps.
According to a Danish newspaper report, this night watch was created in the spring after Trump showed interest in the U.S. purchasing Greenland.
“Denmark is enhancing its diplomatic efforts to counter pressure from Trump. The government and its diplomats have been on high alert due to repeated threats from the U.S. president,” the report noted.
The sixth-floor office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a list of direct phone numbers for senior officials who can be quickly contacted if an emergency arises in Danish diplomacy.
The night watch begins at 5 p.m. (Central European Time) and is tasked with preparing a report for the Danish government outlining “what was said and what transpired” by 7 a.m. the following day.
The aim of this “night watch” is to monitor Trump’s activities—it’s not about keeping out “wildlings and White Walkers” like in the HBO series.
A source indicated that factors like the situation in Greenland and the time difference between Denmark and the U.S. were significant in creating this agreement earlier this spring.
Jacob Karsbo, formerly a chief analyst at Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Agency, remarked that the establishment of the Night Watch highlighted the notion that the U.S. is Denmark’s most significant ally is “dead.” He argued that alliances rely on shared values and common threat perceptions, which he believes Trump does not share with Denmark or most Europeans.
Trump has frequently expressed his desire for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, claiming it’s vital for national security, a view not shared by many.
He reiterated this proposal at the beginning of his second term this year. Reports indicate that mere days into his presidency, the Danish government entered “crisis mode” after a phone conversation where he once again floated the idea of acquiring Greenland.
In January, Denmark announced a “$2 billion investment in Arctic security” in light of Trump’s criticisms about Greenland’s vulnerability to Russian threats.
