The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an unusual initiative: a ‘night watch,’ a special team that monitors US President Donald Trump’s public statements and actions around the clock. This is not a fantasy patrol from the Game of Thrones series fighting the White Walkers, but a very real diplomatic tool born out of geopolitical tensions surrounding Greenland. The initiative highlights how the unpredictability of Trump’s second term is forcing the US’s European allies to be on their guard.
The roots of the ‘night watch’ go back to January 2025, when Trump once again raised the issue of acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory belonging to the Kingdom of Denmark. During his first term in 2019, Trump shocked Copenhagen with an offer to buy the island, calling it strategically important for US national security. In 2025, the rhetoric became even harsher: Trump did not rule out the use of military force to annex Greenland and threatened Denmark with high tariffs if it stood in his way.
These statements sparked a wave of diplomatic crisis. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen convened emergency meetings with party leaders and the Greenlandic government. Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede urgently travelled to Copenhagen to meet with King Frederik X. Denmark, as a member of NATO and the EU, perceived the threats as a betrayal by its closest ally. ‘This is not just serious for Greenland and Denmark — it is serious for the whole world and Europe as a whole,’ said MP Carsten Honge.
Greenland, with a population of only 56,000, is rich in rare earth metals and occupies a key position in the Arctic. Trump argues that the interest is in strategic security: control over the island would strengthen the US position in its confrontation with Russia and China. However, the Danes emphasise that Greenland is seeking independence, not annexation by the US. Polls show that local residents want self-determination, but not under the American flag.
According to the newspaper Politiken, the ‘night watch’ began operating in the spring of 2025, immediately after tensions escalated around Greenland. The shift starts at 5 p.m. local time in Copenhagen (which corresponds to early morning in Washington) and lasts until morning. A team of diplomats and analysts monitors Trump’s tweets, official White House statements, news reports and even the president’s movements on social media.
By 7:00 a.m., a daily report is compiled and distributed throughout the government and key departments. ‘This is a collective approach so that we don’t have to wait for updates from the US, but can stay informed ourselves,’ explained the Danish Foreign Ministry. The time difference is a key factor: many of Trump’s statements are published at night Danish time, which previously led to chaos in diplomatic offices.
The Night Watch is not only a reaction to Trump, but also a symbol of an era of unstable diplomacy. In a world where a single tweet can overturn alliances, European countries are learning to be vigilant. Denmark is not alone: other NATO members are likely to follow suit by stepping up their monitoring of the White House.