Listen to the article
Hundreds of Danish veterans gathered in Copenhagen Saturday to protest remarks by the Trump administration that they say belittled their military sacrifices and disrespected Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland.
The silent demonstration began at Copenhagen’s historic Kastellet fortress before marching to the U.S. Embassy, where participants carried large Danish flags in a solemn display of national pride and frustration. The protest came in response to recent comments by President Trump that minimized the contributions of non-American troops in combat zones.
“Denmark has always stood side by side with the USA — and we have showed up in the world’s crisis zones when the USA has asked us to,” said Danish Veterans & Veteran Support, the event’s organizing group, in a statement. “We feel let down and ridiculed by the Trump Administration, which is deliberately disregarding Denmark’s combat side by side with the USA.”
In a powerful symbolic gesture, demonstrators planted 52 Danish flags outside the embassy grounds, each bearing the name of a Danish service member who died while serving alongside American forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. As each name was read aloud, many in attendance were visibly moved to tears.
The protest follows controversial statements made by President Trump during an interview with Fox Business Network in Davos, Switzerland. “We’ve never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them,” Trump said of non-U.S. troops. “You know, they’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that, and they did — they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
These remarks struck a particularly painful chord in Denmark, which suffered the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces in Afghanistan, with 44 Danish soldiers killed. Eight more lost their lives in Iraq.
Carsten Rasmussen, the 65-year-old president of the Danish Veterans Association, expressed the depth of betrayal felt by many former service members. “They have a feeling that they’ve been betrayed. And of course, they are angered by this. They deployed. They fought with the Americans. They fought with the Brits. They fought together. They bled together,” Rasmussen said. “And as you have heard here in front of the American embassy today, 52 of them never returned.”
Tensions between Danish veterans and the U.S. Embassy had already been inflamed days before the protest when embassy staff removed 44 Danish flags—representing soldiers killed in Afghanistan—that had been placed outside the diplomatic compound. The State Department later explained that security personnel routinely remove items left after demonstrations as standard procedure, and the flags were returned to those who left them.
Søren Knudsen, another 65-year-old Danish veteran at the protest, highlighted the physical and psychological toll of combat that many Danish soldiers continue to endure. “We have some who are suffering from PTSD or the like. And we have a lot of veterans who are luckily not suffering from anything, but they are still feeling offended by the statements.”
The demonstration also addressed the Trump administration’s expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Danish veterans voiced strong objections to what they perceive as disregard for Greenland’s right to self-determination and Trump’s suggestion that Denmark is incapable of protecting Western security interests in the strategically important Arctic region.
Denmark, a founding member of NATO, has long been considered a steadfast ally of the United States in international military operations. Danish forces have participated in numerous U.S.-led coalitions, including operations in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, and anti-piracy missions off the Horn of Africa.
The protest, which Rasmussen estimated grew by “a few thousand people” following the flag removal incident, underscores the diplomatic challenges created by President Trump’s remarks about traditional U.S. allies and their military contributions.
“Words cannot describe how much it hurts us that Denmark’s contributions and sacrifices in the fight for democracy, peace and freedom are being forgotten in the White House,” the veterans’ statement concluded.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
8 Comments
This protest highlights the importance of maintaining strong international alliances, even when there are differences between governments. The US should recognize and appreciate the contributions of its allies, rather than minimizing them.
Well said. Allies like Denmark are crucial partners, and the US would do well to treat them with the respect and gratitude they deserve, rather than dismissing their efforts.
The Trump administration’s remarks about Greenland and the Danish military’s role are concerning. It’s crucial for the US to work collaboratively with its allies, not undermine them. This protest is a powerful statement of Danish national pride and resolve.
The Danish veterans’ protest is a meaningful response to the Trump administration’s dismissive rhetoric. Their service and sacrifice deserve recognition, not ridicule. This incident highlights the need for the US to strengthen, not weaken, its relationships with key allies.
This protest by Danish veterans is a powerful display of national pride and frustration over the Trump administration’s dismissive remarks about their military contributions. It’s important to honor the sacrifices of all service members, regardless of nationality, who fight alongside US forces.
The planting of 52 Danish flags, each bearing the name of a fallen soldier, is a poignant tribute. It’s commendable that Denmark has consistently supported the US in global crises, and their veterans deserve respect for their service and sacrifice.
Absolutely. The Danish troops have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the US-Danish alliance. Their protest is a justified response to the Trump administration’s apparent disregard for their vital role and sacrifices.
This protest reflects the deep frustration felt by Danish veterans who have sacrificed alongside US forces. The Trump administration’s disrespectful comments are a worrying sign of the strain in the US-Danish relationship. Maintaining strong alliances should be a top priority.