Why Denmark Sets Up a Night Watch Every Evening for Donald Trump
Kopenhagen, vrijdag, 28 november 2025.
Following the shocking statements made by Donald Trump regarding the annexation of Greenland, Denmark has established a special night watch to monitor his declarations. From 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM, a team of civil servants, journalists, and experts work together to keep track of every tweet, interview, or public statement. The most striking aspect? This night watch is not fiction, but a realistic response to the geopolitical uncertainty arising from an American president who operates outside conventional diplomatic norms. Each morning, a report is issued containing crucial information for the government. The initiative demonstrates how a small nation adapts to the new reality of international threats—where the real danger no longer comes from a castle, but from a phone in Washington.
A Night Watch for Political Uncertainty
Denmark has established a special night watch to monitor the statements of American President Donald Trump, particularly concerning the autonomous territory of Greenland. The initiative, effective since the spring of 2025, begins each evening at 5:00 PM local time in Copenhagen and runs until 7:00 AM the following morning [1]. During this period, a team comprising civil servants from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, journalists, and academic experts collaborates to monitor every tweet, interview, or public declaration made by Trump [2]. The objective is to gather early intelligence on any potential diplomatic or strategic moves by the United States regarding Greenland, a strategically and resource-rich region in the Arctic [3]. By 7:00 AM, a daily report is compiled and distributed within the government, enabling decision-makers to act based on up-to-date information [1][2]. This initiative is a response to growing concerns about foreign influence on the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark, especially after Trump declared in May 2025 that ‘we urgently need Greenland’ [3]. The action evokes the Night’s Watch from Game of Thrones, but it is no fantasy: it is a realistic measure in a world where political threats now often emerge from social media rather than castles or war fleets [2].
The Geographical and Geopolitical Context of the Greenland Crisis
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and geographically located in the Arctic region, where competition between the United States, Russia, and China for strategic and resource-rich areas is intense [3]. The island’s vast reserves of rare earth metals, such as neodymium and lanthanum, combined with access to newly navigable sea routes through the ice-free north, significantly increase its geopolitical value [3]. Denmark has repeatedly emphasized that Greenland is not for sale and that the island’s sovereignty is a fundamental principle [3]. A January 2025 survey, published by Euractiv, shows that the majority of Greenlanders (78%) prefer to remain within the Kingdom of Denmark rather than join the United States [3]. Nevertheless, according to Rasmus Sinding Søndergaard, senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), Trump remains ‘very determined’ in his desire to gain control over Greenland, although the urgency of this threat has diminished since early 2025 [3]. The night watch is therefore not a reaction to an immediate danger, but to a prolonged strategic uncertainty stemming from a president who operates beyond the conventions of international diplomacy [1][2].
The Role of Information and Media in the Vigilance of a Democracy
The night watch serves not only as a security mechanism but also as a powerful symbol of the changing role of journalism and informal intelligence in modern democracies. By establishing collaboration between the Danish Security and Intelligence Service, the Foreign Service, and external academic institutions, a system has been created focused on early warning for suspicious statements [1][2]. This cooperation illustrates how democratic institutions are now compelled to adapt to a rapidly evolving information landscape, where claims can spread without verification, particularly via social media [2]. Jacob Kaarsbo, former chief analyst at the Danish Defence Intelligence Service, emphasizes that the traditional perception of the United States as a reliable ally in European strategy has vanished [1][2]. ‘Alliances are built on shared values and a shared perception of threats. Trump does not share that with us,’ he states [1]. Thus, the night watch is a practical response to a world where a tweet at 3:00 AM Copenhagen time can trigger a diplomatic crisis, and the time difference between Copenhagen and Washington becomes a crucial factor in managing international risks [2].
The Psychological and Institutional Impact of Continuous Monitoring
The establishment of a night watch has implications beyond operational logistics, including psychological and institutional consequences for Denmark’s public administration. The initiative is recognized as part of a broader adaptation of Danish diplomacy to the unpredictability of Trump’s second administration, as noted in multiple media reports [1][2]. Civil servants at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must now not only respond promptly to events in Washington but also account for public sentiment and the pace of media discourse, which imposes a greater mental burden [1]. The early release of reports, available by 7:00 AM, enables ministers and advisors to begin their day with updated knowledge [1][2]. Although there has been no official response from the United States, the Danish government remains resolute in its policy of non-negotiation regarding Greenland’s sovereignty [3]. Rasmus Sinding Søndergaard observes that Denmark is ‘trying to wait it out,’ hoping that the political reality in the United States—such as a democratic victory in the 2024 midterms—might limit Trump’s ambitions [3]. However, this has no effect on the current situation, as the elections have already concluded [3].