Senator Bernie Sanders Condemns Trump's Renewed Greenland Ambitions as Threat to NATO Alliance
In a striking television appearance on Tuesday, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of President Donald Trump's renewed threats to forcibly acquire Greenland from Denmark. The independent senator suggested that Greenland might maintain its autonomous status within the Danish kingdom only if congressional Republicans intervene to prevent what he characterized as a dangerous and irrational escalation.
Republican Intervention as Greenland's Possible Safeguard
During his interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Sanders expressed cautious hope that political self-preservation might motivate Republican lawmakers to oppose Trump's Greenland ambitions. "I'm not a great fan of my Republican colleagues, but I think that for a variety of reasons, including self-preservation, I think there are about 8% of the American people who think invading Greenland is a good idea," Sanders told Colbert. He elaborated that this unpopular position could make it politically untenable for Republicans to support, describing the invasion concept as "very, very crazy and not something that can be supported."
Historical Context of Trump's Greenland Obsession
The president first floated the idea of acquiring Greenland during his initial term, but has revisited the plan more aggressively following his administration's actions in Venezuela. After bombing Venezuela, capturing its ousted leader Nicolás Maduro, and allowing U.S. oil companies to exploit the nation's substantial reserves, Trump has turned his attention northward. Colbert agreed with Sanders that invading a fellow NATO member would be "crazy" and argued the mere threat "sounds like the death of NATO." However, the host challenged Sanders' premise that Republicans would prioritize this issue over their loyalty to Trump.
Sanders' Defense of NATO's Historic Importance
When pressed for solutions, Sanders emphasized NATO's historical significance rather than proposing concrete legislative actions. "I think understanding that we have had an alliance with European countries for well over 100 years, that we saved the world from Nazism and fascism because of the United States and the U.K. and France and European countries, I think that's a deep alliance," he stated. This defense comes as Trump has frequently dismissed NATO as an outdated coalition that costs too much and conflicts with his apparent goal of establishing unilateral U.S. hegemony in the western hemisphere—a position that represents what critics call a corrupted version of MAGA's original anti-war principles.
White House Confirms Military Option Remains Available
The White House recently confirmed that U.S. military force remains "always an option" should Denmark refuse to sell Greenland. When questioned during a Tuesday news conference about how far he might go if Denmark continues to decline, Trump cryptically told reporters: "You'll find out." The MAGA leader has also announced that multiple European countries would face new tariffs until a deal for what he calls "the Complete and Total purchase" is secured.
Sanders' Scathing Personal Critique of Trump
In perhaps his most biting criticism, Sanders directly attacked Trump's character and motivations. The senator revealed that Trump no longer feels "an obligation" to push for peace after failing to receive the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, which instead went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. Notably, Machado presented the prize to Trump after he publicly hinted it "would be a great honor" for him—behavior Sanders described as that of a "narcissistic, 4-year-old spoiled brat."
"In the midst of all the craziness, the idea that you would have the president of the United States say, 'Norway, you didn't give me the Nobel Prize, I have to invade Greenland, you hurt my feelings,'" Sanders mockingly added. "I mean ... it's pathetic."
Legislative Solutions Prove Elusive
When Colbert returned to his central question about tangible steps to prevent Trump from invading Greenland, Sanders cited "a variety of ways" including the War Powers Resolution Act. However, Colbert countered that this legislation failed to stop Trump from bombing Venezuela, to which Sanders admitted: "Well, we didn't pass it." This exchange highlighted the legislative challenges in constraining presidential military actions, even when supported by congressional measures.
The ongoing controversy underscores deepening tensions within American foreign policy circles regarding appropriate limits on executive power and the preservation of longstanding international alliances. As Trump continues to pursue what critics call expansionist ambitions, voices like Sanders' warn of potentially irreversible damage to global diplomatic structures that have maintained stability for generations.
