Denmark Sets Up Special Monitoring System to Track President Trump After Arctic Dispute
In a move inspired by fictional guards, the Danish foreign affairs department has initiated a nighttime monitoring team—far from guarding against fantasy foes, but to track Donald Trump as Denmark is asleep.
This night monitoring starts at 5pm local time daily and ends with a report compiled at 7am, which is then circulated throughout the Danish government and concerned agencies detailing what was said and developments taking place.
The role is believed to have been introduced in the wake of the bilateral dispute involving Denmark and the US regarding the Arctic island this spring, when the US president suggested acquiring control of the resource-rich island.
Observers point out that this initiative is one of multiple instances of how Danish diplomacy and its government administration have had to adjust to the new reality of the second Trump administration.
An insider familiar with the foreign office remarked, “It is fair to say that the situation in Greenland and the time difference between Denmark and the US was a significant factor prompting this system in the spring.”
Rather than all staff having to promptly check their phones to stay informed on updates from the US, the foreign office explained it had made a coordinated approach to stay updated on the president's activities.
An expert, a former senior analyst at the Danish defence intelligence agency, commented that this move showed, “as we have always known,” that the notion of the US as Denmark’s primary ally was no longer valid. “Partnerships are built on shared principles and a mutual view of threats,” he said. “Trump lacks both of those with us and it can be said he doesn't share it with most Europeans.”