President Donald Trump and his senior advisors have reignited discussions about the United States acquiring Greenland, with some even floating the possibility of using military force to achieve the goal. This renewed focus has, however, met with significant resistance from within the President's own party, sparking concerns about the future of critical international alliances.
Republican Lawmakers Voice Strong Opposition
The idea of a hostile takeover of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, has been dismissed by several prominent Republican senators. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated bluntly, "It's none of our business." He emphasized that Greenland is an ally and warned that such an aggressive move could lead to "the demise of NATO."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) echoed this sentiment, telling reporters he did not view military action against Greenland as a viable option. He noted the passionate attachment Denmark has to the territory and downplayed the seriousness of the contemplation.
Criticism was even more direct from Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a retired Air Force brigadier general. In an online post responding to White House adviser Stephen Miller's advocacy for the move on CNN, Bacon called the idea "really dumb." He stressed that Greenland and Denmark are our allies and that there is "no upside to demeaning our friends," adding that the rhetoric is causing diplomatic wounds.
International Alarm and Domestic Political Moves
The territory of Greenland has consistently stated it does not wish to become part of the United States. Trump's comments have caused deep concern in Copenhagen, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warning that any U.S. action on Greenland would threaten the NATO alliance. Major European allies also reaffirmed their commitment to defending sovereignty and territorial integrity in light of the threats.
Despite the backlash, the Trump administration continues to argue that U.S. control of Greenland is a strategic necessity to counter adversaries in the Arctic. A White House statement confirmed that "utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander-in-chief’s disposal."
Some Republicans, like Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), suggested Trump's talk might be strategic bluster, a way to "keep people off balance." However, this comes amid real military action, including a recent bombardment in Caracas, Venezuela, ordered by Trump that killed dozens.
Bipartisan Legislative Response Takes Shape
The controversy is prompting legislative action. The Senate is expected to vote on a bipartisan resolution to block further military action against Venezuela. While that measure may fail due to Republican support for the President, a similar effort is being prepared regarding Greenland.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) announced he will introduce a resolution aimed at preventing U.S. military action in Greenland. Utilizing the War Powers Act, such a resolution would be privileged and force a vote on the Senate floor. "Trump is telling us exactly what he wants to do. We must stop him before he invades another country on a whim," Gallego warned.
Not all Republicans are opposed. Top Trump ally Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) voiced support for acquiring Greenland to keep "China and all these communists out of our hemisphere." This division highlights the ongoing debate within the GOP over the administration's aggressive foreign policy tactics, which have also recently included threats against Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, and Iran.
