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Hundreds of Danish veterans gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen on Saturday to protest recent comments by President Donald Trump that they say diminish their military contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The demonstration, organized by Danish Veterans & Veteran Support, saw military veterans laying 52 flags—each bearing the name of a Danish soldier who died while serving alongside U.S. forces in combat zones—on the ground outside the embassy.
“They have a feeling that they’ve been betrayed,” said Carsten Rasmussen, president of the Danish Veterans Association, in an interview with The Associated Press. “They deployed. They fought with the Americans. They fought with the Brits. They fought together. They bled together. And as you have heard here in front of the American embassy today, 52 of them never returned.”
Denmark’s military contribution to NATO operations in Afghanistan resulted in 44 Danish soldiers killed—the highest per capita death toll among NATO countries participating in the conflict. Eight more Danish troops died in Iraq. These numbers are particularly significant for a nation with a population of just over 6 million as of 2025.
The protest came in response to Trump’s remarks at Davos suggesting that NATO forces “stayed a little back” during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, implying they didn’t fully engage in combat alongside American troops. Veterans at the protest expressed feeling both insulted and forgotten by these characterizations.
“Behind all these flags, there’s a guy, there’s a soldier, there’s a young man,” said Lt. Col. Niels Christian Koefoed, a Danish veteran of the Afghanistan conflict, speaking to Reuters during the demonstration.
While Trump later attempted to ease tensions by praising British soldiers on his Truth Social platform, calling them “GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers,” he notably did not acknowledge the sacrifices of other NATO member nations, including Denmark.
The veterans’ organization released a statement expressing their deep disappointment: “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. We feel let down and ridiculed by the Trump Administration, which is deliberately disregarding Denmark’s combat side by side with the USA.”
The protest also addressed another source of tension—Trump’s renewed interest in the United States acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Earlier attempts by Trump to purchase Greenland during his previous administration were firmly rejected by Danish officials, who called the idea “absurd.”
Matthew Whitaker, U.S. ambassador to NATO, defended American interest in Greenland, telling Fox News Digital that NATO has a “tendency to overreact.” He emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance as climate change reshapes Arctic routes and security considerations.
“As the ice thaws and as routes open up in the Arctic, Arctic security, and therefore the security of Greenland, which is the northern flank of the continental United States, is crucial,” Whitaker said. He added that recent diplomatic meetings between Danish and Greenlandic officials with Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio had been “successful” and likely to be “constructive.”
The Copenhagen protest highlights growing tension between the United States and some of its closest NATO allies. For Denmark, which has consistently supported U.S. military operations abroad and maintained strong transatlantic ties, the controversy touches on both military honor and territorial sovereignty.
The Danish veterans’ organization summarized the sentiment that brought protesters to the embassy: “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 White House has not yet issued an official response to the protest or the veterans’ concerns.
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11 Comments
This demonstration by Danish veterans is a moving tribute to the tremendous sacrifices made by their country in supporting US-led military campaigns. The high per capita death toll among Danish troops in Afghanistan and Iraq underscores the human cost borne by this small NATO ally. Their service and losses deserve full acknowledgment and respect.
Absolutely. The numbers are truly staggering, especially for Denmark’s relatively small population. This protest is a poignant way for veterans to express their sense of betrayal over Trump’s dismissive comments. Maintaining strong trans-Atlantic alliances requires mutual understanding and appreciation.
The US-Denmark military partnership has clearly come at a great cost for Danish troops and families. This protest at the US embassy is a poignant way for veterans to express their sense of betrayal over Trump’s dismissive comments. Maintaining strong trans-Atlantic alliances requires mutual understanding and appreciation.
Absolutely. Even as geopolitical tensions rise, we must not lose sight of the human sacrifices made by our allies in joint operations. Denmark’s commitment deserves far more than flippant remarks from the US president.
The protest by Danish veterans at the US embassy is a powerful statement about the heavy price their country has paid in supporting US-led military operations. The high per capita casualties they suffered in Afghanistan and Iraq reflect the immense sacrifices made by this small NATO ally. Their service and losses deserve far greater recognition.
This is a powerful protest by Danish veterans who feel their sacrifices in Afghanistan and Iraq have been diminished. Their high per capita death toll shows the heavy price Denmark paid for supporting US-led operations. It’s important to honor their service and remember the human cost of these conflicts.
You’re right, the numbers are staggering for a small country like Denmark. Their military contributions and losses deserve full recognition and respect from their NATO allies.
The demonstration by Danish veterans outside the US embassy is a powerful statement about the heavy price their country has paid in blood for supporting American-led military campaigns. Trump’s dismissive comments seem to undermine the shared sacrifice and risks taken by NATO allies like Denmark.
This protest by Danish veterans is a poignant reminder of the human toll of war, even for smaller NATO allies. The high per capita losses suffered by Denmark in Afghanistan and Iraq show the immense sacrifices their troops have made alongside US and British forces. Their service and sacrifice deserve far greater recognition.
You’re right, the numbers are truly staggering for a country the size of Denmark. Their military contributions have come at an enormous cost, and their veterans are right to demand proper acknowledgement from their American allies.
The protest by Danish veterans outside the US embassy is a powerful statement about the heavy toll their country has paid in supporting American-led military operations. The high per capita casualties suffered by Danish troops in Afghanistan and Iraq reflect the immense sacrifices made by this small NATO ally. Their service and losses deserve far greater recognition from their US counterparts.