By Emmanuel Bobby
The White House said Tuesday that acquiring Greenland is a “national security priority” for the United States and confirmed that the possible use of the U.S. military is among the options under consideration.
“President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
“The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal,” the statement added.
The White House comments came shortly after several major European allies, including Denmark, issued a joint statement vowing to defend Greenland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Greenland belongs to its people,” the leaders said.
A senior White House official said other options under review include purchasing Greenland from Denmark or negotiating a compact of free association with the island. The United States maintains similar agreements with the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau, which provide U.S. financial assistance in exchange for security access and military presence.
The U.S. has operated a military base in Greenland for decades. President Donald Trump and his administration have repeatedly expressed interest in taking control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory, citing its strategic Arctic location and extensive mineral resources. Those statements have intensified in recent days, with Trump publicly emphasizing that he is “very serious” about acquiring Greenland.
NATO allies have grown increasingly concerned following recent U.S. actions abroad, including last weekend’s operation in Venezuela that resulted in the removal of President Nicolás Maduro.
“The Kingdom of Denmark — including Greenland — is part of NATO,” leaders from France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark said in their joint statement.
“Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the U.N. Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders,” they added. “It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”
Stephen Miller, the president’s deputy chief of staff for policy, said Monday that it is the Trump administration’s formal position that “Greenland should be part of the United States.”
When asked whether military action was being considered, Miller said, “It wouldn’t be military action against Greenland.”
“The real question is, what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim?” he added.
The United States signed an agreement in 1916 stating it would not object to Denmark extending its political and economic interests over all of Greenland as part of a broader deal that included the U.S. purchase of what are now the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Trump further unsettled Danish officials last month when he appointed Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as his special envoy to Greenland. Landry has openly supported incorporating Greenland into the United States and described the role as a “volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.”
However, the prospect of using military force lacks support from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
“No, I don’t think that’s appropriate,” Johnson said Tuesday night when asked about the idea.
“I think Greenland is viewed by a lot of people as a strategic position for the U.S.,” he added. “I don’t know how it develops from there.”
Johnson also said he did not recall Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating in a recent classified briefing that Trump preferred purchasing Greenland, suggesting any such remark may not have been made seriously.
Trump has spoken more openly about taking over Greenland since winning the 2024 presidential election. Even before taking office, he suggested the U.S. could use military force to acquire Greenland and regain control of the Panama Canal.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned Monday that any military action against a NATO member would have severe consequences.
“If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily,” she said, “then everything stops.”
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