A significant gathering of Danish military veterans and supporters convened on a Saturday at Copenhagen's historic Kastellet fortress, a site still utilized by Denmark's armed forces. The group then proceeded in a solemn march to the U.S. embassy, carrying Danish flags in a display of national solidarity and remembrance.
The protest was organized by the groups Veterans of Denmark and Veteran Support. In an official statement, the organizers expressed frustration over remarks made by the Trump administration, stating: "Denmark has consistently stood alongside the United States, responding in crisis zones worldwide when asked. We feel both disappointed and ridiculed by the Trump administration, which is deliberately disregarding Denmark's combat efforts in alliance with the U.S."
The statement further lamented, "There are no words that can sufficiently convey the pain felt as Denmark's contributions and sacrifices for democracy, peace, and freedom are being overlooked at the White House."
Participants observed a moment of silence during which they ceremoniously placed 52 Danish flags before the embassy. Each flag bore the name of a Danish service member who tragically lost their life in Afghanistan and Iraq. As names were called, some onlookers were overcome with emotion, underscoring the depth of loss felt within the community.
The unrest among Danish veterans stems from the U.S. administration's rhetoric, which, they argue, dismisses Greenland's right to self-determination despite its status as a territory under the NATO ally Denmark. Veterans also oppose President Trump's assertion that Denmark is incapable of safeguarding Western security interests in the Arctic region.
Carsten Rasmussen, 65, a Danish veteran and head of the Danish Veterans Association, commented on the feelings of betrayal and anger. He emphasized the shared sacrifices made during military campaigns alongside American and British forces, noting, "We fought, we bled together, and as you hear here today in front of the U.S. embassy, 52 of ours never came back."
President Trump has publicly downplayed the role of non-American troops in conflict zones. In a recent Fox Business Network interview in Davos, Switzerland, he remarked, "We never really needed them; they did send some troops to Afghanistan and elsewhere, but they stayed a bit behind, somewhat away from front lines." Such comments have deeply offended Danish veterans.
Søren Knudsen, also 65 and a veteran, highlighted the physical and psychological toll borne by many Danish soldiers, including amputations and post-traumatic stress disorder. He underscored the importance of the protest as a message in response to these dismissive characterizations.
Denmark's military sacrifices in Afghanistan were particularly severe, with 44 fallen soldiers representing the highest per capita coalition casualty rate, alongside eight fatalities in Iraq.
Tensions escalated earlier in the week when 44 Danish flags—each symbolizing a fallen soldier from Afghanistan—were removed from the embassy grounds by consular staff, prompting increased turnout at the weekend demonstration. The U.S. State Department noted that security staff regularly remove items left after protests and assured that the flags were returned to their owners.