Shoot First, Ask Questions Later: New Orders for Danish Troops in Case of US Invasion

Denmark has confirmed that its armed forces are operating under standing rules that require soldiers to immediately engage any invading force, including the United States, without waiting for political authorization, amid escalating rhetoric from Washington over Greenland.

Denmark’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday that a directive dating back to 1952 remains fully in force. The order instructs Danish forces to counterattack immediately if the country or its territories are invaded, even if no formal declaration of war has been issued and even if commanders have not yet received instructions from civilian leadership.

The confirmation comes after Donald Trump publicly suggested that the use of American military force to take control of Greenland was an option, reigniting fears in Europe over the future of NATO and transatlantic security guarantees. Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

According to the directive, “The attacked forces must immediately take up the fight without waiting for or seeking orders.” Danish officials stressed that the rule applies universally and does not distinguish between potential adversaries.

Denmark’s defense minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, said the order reflects Denmark’s longstanding military doctrine and legal obligations to defend its sovereignty. He added that the policy was not adopted in response to current events, but its relevance had become sharply apparent.

Both Denmark and Greenland have rejected Trump’s assertions outright, stating that Greenland is not for sale and that its status is not subject to unilateral decisions by foreign powers. Greenland’s government has reiterated that any future changes to its political status must come through democratic processes involving its population.

The remarks have triggered urgent consultations among European governments, many of which see the issue as a direct challenge to NATO itself. European officials privately warn that an attack by one NATO member against another would represent an unprecedented rupture of the alliance and fundamentally alter the post–Cold War security order.

Germany has confirmed it is coordinating closely with Denmark and other European states on contingency planning. Several European diplomats have described a noticeable shift in Washington’s tone, saying discussions about Greenland are no longer viewed as rhetorical but increasingly concrete.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he plans to meet with Danish and Greenlandic officials next week but declined to rule out any options. Asked directly whether military intervention was off the table, Rubio avoided the question, saying discussions would take place behind closed doors.

Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin warned that a military clash between NATO members would be historically destabilizing. “If this happens,” he said, “the United States would move from being an ally or rival to something far more dangerous.”

For now, Denmark is signaling that whatever happens politically, its military posture is clear: any armed incursion into Danish or Greenlandic territory would be met with immediate force, no questions asked.