Several Republican senators are increasingly voicing their concerns over President Trump’s remarks regarding the possibility of the U.S. taking control of Greenland by force. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is planning a trip to Denmark to assure officials there that Congress will not support any military actions against the region.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) are among those expressing this sentiment. They are scheduled to visit Copenhagen on Friday, alongside Democratic representatives including Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), and Sarah Jacobs (D-CA).
Mr. Tillis emphasized the importance of reminding Danish officials that Congress is an equal part of the government. He expressed his belief that there are enough members concerned about this situation, whether or not they voice it publicly. On the topic of military action in Greenland, he noted, “I think any attempt to occupy sovereign territory would face significant resistance in Congress.”
Senators Shaheen and Murkowski, who are key members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, co-sponsored a bill aimed at prohibiting the use of Defense and State Department funds for any military operations against Greenland or other NATO member states.
A Republican senator speaking anonymously remarked to a publication that there’s noticeable pushback from GOP senators on this issue, more so than in past incidents. They argued that aggressive moves towards Greenland could jeopardize NATO and threaten Ukraine, stating, “We absolutely need NATO support.” A weakening of NATO’s ability is seen as detrimental for the Ukrainian people.
Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, criticized Trump’s statements as “reckless threats.” He cautioned that pursuing such actions could damage the trust of U.S. allies without providing any substantial gains in Arctic access. He suggested that a U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan might have more lasting repercussions for Trump’s legacy than for Biden’s.
Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chairwoman of Senate Appropriations, also dismissed the idea, asserting that she did not support annexing Greenland forcefully or against its people’s wishes. “We believe Greenland would be open to an expanded U.S. military presence there, but this can be achieved through diplomatic means, not intimidation,” she stated.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), who leads the Senate Armed Services Committee, shared that he recently met with the Danish ambassador and Greenlandic officials, emphasizing that ownership is non-negotiable. However, he added, “There are real opportunities for collaboration in critical minerals and bases.”
President Trump believes that acquiring Greenland is vital for national security. In a recent post, he claimed, “The United States needs Greenland for national security purposes. If we don’t act, China or Russia will.” He expressed his determination to prevent that from happening.
Trump also criticized Greenland’s minimal defense, saying, “Their defense consists of two dog sleds,” and pointed out the military presence of Russia and China in the region.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt noted that military force is always an option for the Commander-in-Chief. She stated, “If Greenland were in American hands, NATO would be much stronger and more effective. Anything less is unacceptable.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) firmly rejected the idea of a military takeover, asserting that he believes it would be difficult to find support for such a move in Washington.
NATO allies in Europe, including France, Germany, and Britain, have responded by contributing small military detachments to Greenland as part of an operation led by Denmark. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that troops are participating in exercises hosted by Denmark, while Britain has sent an officer for reconnaissance.
In the midst of this ongoing debate, voices in Europe have spoken up. Former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove contended that the U.S. is the only nation with the military strength to defend the Arctic, suggesting that Denmark could lease Greenland to the U.S. for security purposes.
Despite that, Greenland’s five main political parties have made it clear: “We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we don’t want to be Greenlanders.”
