Danish veterans are organizing a protest march in Copenhagen on January 31 in response to President Trump’s recent comments suggesting that allied troops, including Danish forces, stayed back from frontlines during the Afghanistan war. The demonstration will bring veterans from over 20 Danish cities to the American embassy in what organizers are calling a “No Word” silent manifestation.
Trump’s Comments Spark Outrage
President Trump ignited controversy during a Fox News interview on Thursday when he claimed that troops from allied nations kept themselves back from frontlines while fighting in Afghanistan to support the American campaign against the Taliban. He added that the United States has been very good to Europe and other countries, and that cooperation should work both ways.
The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from veterans and officials across NATO member states. Carsten Rasmussen, national chairman of Danmarks Veteraner (Denmark’s Veterans), called Trump’s statement indecent and announced plans for a protest march.
Denmark’s Sacrifice in Afghanistan
Rasmussen, who served in Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008 as the highest-ranking Dane at Kandahar Air Base, rejected Trump’s characterization of allied contributions. He recalled seeing approximately 30 coffins in just his first 20 days in Afghanistan, draped with flags from England, Canada, Australia, Holland, Denmark, and the United States.
Denmark’s military commitment to Afghanistan was substantial. Between 2002 and the end of operations, 10,980 Danish soldiers were deployed, resulting in 19,997 total deployments as many served multiple tours. In total, 44 Danish soldiers lost their lives, with 37 killed in combat operations and 214 wounded to varying degrees.
Proportional Losses
In 2018, then-Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen directly confronted President Trump at a NATO meeting where Trump threatened to leave the alliance. Løkke emphasized that Denmark had lost more soldiers in Afghanistan than the United States when measured as a proportion of population.
International Response Grows
Denmark is not alone in its anger. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly condemned Trump’s remarks on Friday evening, calling them offensive and frankly appalling. Starmer noted that the comments had hurt the families of those killed or wounded in action.
Britain lost 457 military personnel in Afghanistan, making it the deadliest conflict for the UK since the 1950s. When asked if he expected an apology, Starmer responded that if he had spoken incorrectly in that manner or said those words, he would certainly apologize.
Other critics include Prince Harry of Britain and Dutch Foreign Minister David Van Weel. The White House has dismissed Starmer’s criticism, according to The Guardian.
NATO Article 5 and Afghanistan
The only time NATO has activated its Article 5, which states that an attack on one member country is considered an attack on all, was after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Following that invocation, member countries deployed thousands of soldiers to Afghanistan.
More than 1,000 non-American soldiers lost their lives in the conflict. Danish forces were engaged in daily combat operations in Helmand Province, according to Rasmussen and others who served there.
The Planned Demonstration
Veterans from more than 20 Danish cities will travel by bus to Copenhagen for the January 31 protest. Organizers from Danmarks Veteraner and several other soldier organizations are coordinating what they call a “No Word” manifestation in front of the American embassy.
According to Rasmussen, participants want to avoid a shouting match and instead plan a dignified memorial. Veterans and family members will gather at 1:00 PM at the monument for Denmark’s fallen at the Kastellet fortress, then march to the US embassy for a minute of silence honoring the Army, Air Force, Navy, Emergency Management Agency, and Police.
Why a Silent Protest
The initiative describes itself as a response to feeling betrayed and ridiculed by the Trump administration, which demonstrators say deliberately ignores Denmark’s fight alongside the United States. The invitation to the event states that organizers are launching a silent manifestation because they lack words for what they view as the Trump administration’s betrayal.
Danmarks Veteraner has 3,600 members, but the initiative extends to friends and family members who are encouraged to participate. Rasmussen emphasizes that the demonstration represents soldiers who feel their service and sacrifice have been unfairly dismissed.
Political Support
Danish politician Marcus Knuth, a member of the Conservative Party who also served in Afghanistan, called Trump’s comments the biggest insult of all. In a Facebook post on Friday, he pointed out that while the United States was intensely engaged in Iraq at the time, President George W. Bush asked European countries to take primary responsibility in Afghanistan.
Naturally, this historical context makes Trump’s recent characterization particularly frustrating for those who answered that call and paid a heavy price. The demonstration represents an attempt by veterans to remind both the American government and the Danish public of the real costs of the Afghanistan campaign.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Trump Tensions Put Danish Architecture Firm on Edge
The Danish Dream: Best Immigration Lawyers in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Danske veteraner føler sig latterliggjort af Trump – nu vil de demonstrere
