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Taking action reminiscent of fictional guards, the Danish foreign ministry has initiated a night watch unit—not to fend off fantasy threats, but to track Donald Trump as Denmark is asleep.

The night monitoring begins at 5pm local time daily and ends with a summary produced at 7am, which is then circulated across government departments and relevant offices covering what was said and developments taking place.

This position is understood to have been established in the wake of the bilateral row involving Denmark and the US regarding Greenland earlier this year, when the American leader suggested acquiring control of the strategic territory.

Observers point out that this measure is among several instances of how Denmark's foreign policy and its civil service have had to adapt to the new reality of the second Trump administration.

A source familiar with the ministry remarked, “It is fair to say that the circumstances in Greenland and the time difference separating Copenhagen and the US were a significant factor prompting this arrangement in the earlier months.”

Instead of everybody needing to promptly check their phones to stay informed on news from the US, the foreign office said it had made a coordinated approach to remain informed on the president's activities.

Jacob Kaarsbo, a former chief analyst at the Danish defence intelligence agency, stated that this move showed, “as long understood,” that the notion of the US as Denmark’s primary partner was dead. “Alliances are built on common values and a mutual view of threats,” he added. “Trump shares neither of those with Denmark and it can be said he lacks it with the majority of Europe.”