🔗 Share this article

Taking action inspired by fictional watches, the Danish foreign ministry has initiated a night watch team—not guarding against fantasy threats, but to track Donald Trump while Copenhagen is asleep.

This night monitoring starts at 5 p.m. in Denmark daily and concludes with a summary compiled at 7am, which is then distributed across government departments and relevant agencies detailing what was said and developments that occurred.

The role is believed to have been introduced in the wake of the bilateral dispute involving Denmark and the US over the Arctic island earlier this year, when the American leader threatened acquiring control of the strategic island.

Analysts point out that this initiative is among several examples of how Danish diplomacy and its civil service have had to adjust to the changed landscape of the second Trump administration.

A source familiar with the foreign office remarked, “It's accurate to say that the circumstances in Greenland and the time difference separating Copenhagen and the US was a significant factor prompting this system during the spring.”

Instead of all staff needing to immediately check their phones to stay informed on updates from the United States, the foreign office explained it had undertaken a coordinated approach to remain informed on Trump actions.

Jacob Kaarsbo, a ex- chief analyst at the defense intelligence service, stated that this move showed, “as long understood,” that the notion of the United States as Denmark's largest and most important partner was no longer valid. “Partnerships are built on common values and a common threat perception,” he said. “The president lacks both of those with us and I would argue he doesn't share it with the majority of Europe.”