Denmark summons US envoy after report of influence operations
Share and Follow


COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Denmark’s foreign minister had the top U.S. diplomat in the country summoned for talks after the main national broadcaster reported Wednesday that at least three people with connections to President Donald Trump have been carrying out covert influence operations in Greenland.

Greenland, a huge semi-autonomous Danish territory in the Arctic, is coveted by Trump. Denmark, a NATO ally of the United States, and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there.

Public broadcaster DR reported Wednesday that government and security sources which it didn’t name, as well as unidentified sources in Greenland and the U.S., believe that at least three Americans with connections to Trump have been carrying out covert influence operations in the territory.

One of those people allegedly compiled a list of U.S.-friendly Greenlanders, collected names of people opposed to Trump and got locals to point out cases that could be used to cast Denmark in a bad light in American media. Two others have tried to nurture contacts with politicians, businesspeople and locals, according to the report.

An influence operation is an organized effort to shape how people in a society think in order to achieve certain political, military or other objectives.

DR said its story was based on information from a total of eight sources, who believe the goal is to weaken relations with Denmark from within Greenlandic society.

DR said it had been unable to clarify whether the Americans were working at their own initiative or on orders from someone else. It said it knows their names but chose not to publish them in order to protect its sources.

“We are aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position in the Kingdom of Denmark,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in a statement emailed by his ministry. “It is therefore not surprising if we experience outside attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the time ahead.”

“Any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom will of course be unacceptable,” Løkke Rasmussen said. “In that light, I have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the U.S. chargé d’affaires for a meeting at the Ministry.”

He added that cooperation between the governments of Denmark and Greenland “is close and based on mutual trust.”

The Danish Security and Intelligence Service responded to a request for comment by saying it believes that “particularly in the current situation, Greenland is a target for influence campaigns of various kinds” that could aim to create divisions in the relationship between Denmark and Greenland.

It said it “assesses that this could be done by exploiting existing or fabricated disagreements, for example in connection with well-known individual cases, or by promoting or amplifying certain viewpoints in Greenland regarding the Kingdom, the United States, or other countries with a particular interest in Greenland.”

The service, known by its Danish acronym PET, said that in recent years it has “continuously strengthened” its efforts and presence in Greenland in cooperation with authorities there, and will continue to do so.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
The 2-hour 'Stranger Things' finale will be in theaters on New Year's. Here's how to get tickets.

Release Date Announced for ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Volume 2 on Netflix!

The eagerly awaited continuation of “Stranger Things” is about to make its…
Alec Baldwin reveals the toll Rust shooting aftermath had on health

Alec Baldwin Opens Up About Health Struggles Following “Rust” Shooting Incident

Alec Baldwin has revealed that his well-being has significantly declined over the…
Make-A-Wish brings back annual Holiday Wish Line messages

Spread Joy: Make-A-Wish Revives Beloved Holiday Wish Line for Heartfelt Messages

The CEO of Make-A-Wish describes their hotline as a “powerful antidote” to…
The same Knicks issue is rearing its head once again

Unpacking the Knicks’ Recurring Struggles: Can They Overcome Their Persistent Challenges?

The Knicks are feeling the sting of early-season challenges. They’ve consistently struggled…
Kevin Niemiec, Zachary Mascolo, Jon Clary II accused of sexually assaulting female classmate at Roselle St. Viator HS party

Three Roselle St. Viator High School Students Charged in Sexual Assault Case at Off-Campus Party

In Roselle, Illinois, three teenagers face accusations of sexually assaulting a fellow…
Pilot creates nativity scene using flight plan, hoping to spread Christmas cheer

Pilot Crafts Nativity Scene Flight Path to Inspire Holiday Cheer

Tim Pearson, a private pilot, never anticipated that his creative endeavor would…
Bow Wow Lounge rabies: Chicago dog daycare says dog with virus visited facility; 1st case in decades, IDPH says

Chicago Dog Daycare Reports First Rabies Case in Decades: Bow Wow Lounge Visitor Sparks Health Alert

CHICAGO (WLS) — In a significant development for the city, a dog…
This undated photo released by the U.S. Department of Justice shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. (U.S. Department of Justice via AP)

New Epstein Records Cast Spotlight on Maxwell as She Maintains Innocence Claims

In a recent legal twist, Ghislaine Maxwell has once again captured public…