Rand Paul Says He Will Oppose Any Military Takeover of Greenland

The Kentucky senator said there is no scenario in which he would support U.S. military force against a NATO ally, emphasizing diplomacy and consent over coercion.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Wednesday that he would actively oppose any effort by the Trump administration to use military force to take control of Greenland, calling such a move unprecedented and unacceptable.

Appearing on CBS Mornings, Paul responded to questions about recent White House statements suggesting that military options remain on the table as President Donald Trump pursues U.S. acquisition of the Arctic territory for national security reasons.

Asked whether he could envision American troops being ordered to confront a NATO ally, Paul said the idea ran contrary to U.S. history and longstanding alliances.

“We’ve never been in a position, to my recollection or to my knowledge, of something like that,” Paul said. He acknowledged that administration officials have indicated the president’s preference is to purchase Greenland but warned that references to military force cross a line.

Paul said he has been told that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has informed members of the congressional intelligence leadership that the president favors a purchase rather than coercion. Still, he stressed that any suggestion of using force would meet firm resistance.

“I will do everything to stop any kind of military takeover of Greenland,” Paul said. “That won’t happen under my watch.”

The senator outlined what he described as the only viable path forward if the United States were to pursue acquisition of the territory. He said the process would require goodwill, consent, and a clear benefit for Greenland’s population.

“If you want to purchase Greenland, the best way would be to try to have goodwill with the people,” Paul said. He added that the process would likely begin with a vote by Greenlanders on independence from Denmark, followed by negotiations over whether joining the United States would improve their circumstances.

Paul pointed to historical precedents such as the Louisiana Purchase and the acquisition of Alaska, noting that both were achieved through negotiation rather than force.

“You didn’t get to those purchases by insulting your opponent,” he said. “Like any deal or diplomacy, you get there by actually trying to please and get your opponent to agree to this, because it would have to be done voluntarily.”

He concluded by saying there is no scenario in which he believes the Senate would authorize military action against Greenland.

“I see no scenario in which militarily I—or really, for that matter, any of my colleagues in the Senate—would support a military takeover of Greenland,” Paul said.