A silent protest was held outside the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, where hundreds of Danish veterans gathered in response to recent diplomatic developments.
According to ABC News, many of the veterans who participated in the protest had previously served alongside U.S. forces.
The demonstration was organized in response to statements from the Trump administration regarding Greenland and remarks that appeared to diminish Denmark’s military contributions to global security.
“We Feel Let Down”: Danish Veterans Issue Statement
“Denmark has always stood side by side with the USA, and we have shown 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,” Danish Veterans & Veteran Support said in an official statement.
The group emphasized the emotional toll of recent rhetoric:
“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.”
Five Minutes of Silence for Five Branches of Service
The veterans assembled at a monument dedicated to Danish service members who lost their lives before marching to the U.S. Embassy. Upon arrival, they observed five minutes of silence, with each minute representing a different branch of Denmark’s defense and security:
- The Army
- The Air Force
- The Navy
- The Emergency Management Agency
- The Police
Tensions Over Greenland and Arctic Security
Veterans expressed anger at recent statements from the White House, which they say ignore Greenland’s right to self-determination. Greenland remains a territory of Denmark and a vital NATO ally.
Furthermore, the protesters objected to President Trump’s assertion that Denmark is unable to safeguard Western security interests in the Arctic region.
This criticism comes despite the fact that Denmark suffered the highest per capitaloss among coalition forces in Afghanistan, with 44 soldiers killed, in addition to eight Danish service members who died in Iraq.
Flag Controversy at the U.S. Embassy
Tensions escalated on Tuesday after embassy staff removed 44 Danish flags that had been placed in front of the building. Each flag represented a Danish soldier killed in Afghanistan.
The U.S. State Department later clarified that guard staff generally remove items left behind following demonstrations and “legitimate exercises of free speech.” The flags were subsequently returned to the veterans.
