A Republican lawmaker has introduced legislation backing President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, outlining a voluntary path that could ultimately lead Congress to consider the Danish territory as a new U.S. state.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A House Republican on Monday introduced legislation designed to authorize President Donald Trump to pursue the acquisition of Greenland, escalating a long-running effort by the administration to bring the Arctic territory under U.S. control.
Rep. Randy Fine of Florida introduced the bill with language authorizing the president “to take such steps as may be necessary” to acquire Greenland and place it on a pathway toward potential statehood, according to a report by Fox News.
“I think it is in the world’s interest for the United States to exert sovereignty over Greenland,” Fine said in an interview with Fox News Digital. He emphasized that the bill would not itself make Greenland a state, but would signal congressional support for the president’s efforts.
“Congress would still have to choose to make it a state, but this would simply authorize the president to do what he’s doing and say the Congress stands behind him,” Fine said. “And then it would expedite it into becoming a state, but it would still be up to Congress about whether to do that.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that he plans to meet with Danish officials this week to discuss Greenland, underscoring the diplomatic dimension of the issue.
Trump has publicly advocated for the United States to purchase Greenland since his first term in the White House, repeatedly citing its strategic importance. Republican officials backing the idea have pointed to Greenland’s proximity to Russia and the presence of critical mineral resources as key national security considerations.
Fine echoed those arguments while also asserting that U.S. governance would benefit Greenland’s residents.
“Their poverty rate is high. Denmark hasn’t treated them well,” Fine said. “When war came to town, Denmark couldn’t protect them. Guess who protected Greenland during World War II? We did.”
While many Republicans have said they understand Trump’s rationale for seeking control of Greenland, some GOP lawmakers expressed concern earlier this month after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to rule out the possible use of military force during a press briefing.
Asked whether he would support military action, Fine said he favors a voluntary approach. “I think the best way to acquire Greenland is voluntarily,” he said.
Fine also criticized Greenland’s current governance, arguing that its political system and economic conditions are not aligned with U.S. interests. “The poverty rate in Greenland is much, much higher than it is in Denmark,” he said. “The country is run by socialists, and it is not in America’s interests to have a territory that large between the United States and Russia run by socialists.”
Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress holds the authority to admit new states. The process typically requires lawmakers to pass legislation authorizing statehood after a territory is formed, followed by the drafting and approval of a state constitution by residents. Congress must then vote again to admit the new state, with final approval requiring the president’s signature.
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