U.S. names controversial Trump ally to lead key Arctic research commission

By Elías Thorsson December 15, 2025
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Thomas Emanuel Dans is the new chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (American Daybreak Instagram)

The United States has appointed Thomas Emanuel Dans, a Trump ally and founder of the controversial influence group American Daybreak, as chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.

The appointment was announced December 10 on the U.S. government’s Arctic policy website. The commission advises the president and Congress on Arctic research priorities and coordination, giving its chair influence over U.S. Arctic policy.

Dans is a venture capitalist who previously worked on Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation plan to reshape the federal government under a future conservative administration, along with his brother Paul, who is currently running in the Republican South Carolina primary.

American Daybreak has been active in Greenland beyond a series of high-profile visits. The group has worked to build political and cultural links between U.S. conservative figures and Greenlandic actors supportive of closer ties with the United States, operating outside formal diplomatic channels.

Earlier this year, American Daybreak helped organize a Greenland visit planned for Vice President J.D. Vance. The original itinerary included stops in Nuuk, but after objections from Greenlandic and Danish authorities, the trip was scaled back and limited to a visit to the U.S. military’s Pituffik Space Base.

The group was also involved in arranging a January visit by Donald Trump Jr. to Greenland, where Trump’s eldest son was accused of appearing with homeless people who had been paid to pose as Trump supporters.

After the appointment was announced, Dans posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Make the Arctic Great Again.”

The U.S. Arctic Research Commission plays a central role in shaping federal research agendas and advising lawmakers on Arctic issues, placing its leadership at the intersection of science and geopolitics. The appointment of a venture capitalist and political ally to the commission breaks with tradition, as previously the chair has been held by scientists or career diplomats.

Dans’s appointment comes amid heightened debate in Denmark and Greenland over sovereignty, influence and alleged U.S. influence operations in the Arctic nation.