Washington, January 8: The White House indicated on Tuesday that President Donald Trump is exploring various strategies to acquire Greenland, making it clear that U.S. military action remains a possibility.
In a statement to CNN, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “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. 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 remarks followed a briefing by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lawmakers on the administration’s renewed interest in purchasing the resource-rich, self-governing Danish territory. While officials downplayed the likelihood of immediate military action, internal deliberations on Greenland have continued. A recent State Department assessment examined Greenland’s untapped resources, including rare earth minerals, noting that extraction would be costly due to harsh weather and limited infrastructure.
Trump emphasized Greenland’s strategic value, stating, “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.” Senior aide Stephen Miller reinforced the administration’s position, claiming that no country would militarily oppose the U.S. over Greenland and questioning Denmark’s territorial claim despite its NATO membership.
The renewed U.S. focus has prompted European leaders to issue a joint statement backing Denmark, stressing that Greenland belongs to its people and underscoring the importance of collective Arctic security through NATO. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cautioned that any U.S. military action could endanger the alliance. Greenland’s government also requested a meeting with Secretary Rubio following the administration’s statements.
Trump has expressed interest in Greenland since his first term, highlighting its strategic location between the U.S., Europe, and Russia, as well as its deposits of oil, gas, and rare earth minerals. Previous proposals to purchase the island were rejected, including after his 2024 election victory. Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland last year, warning that the island was vulnerable and asserting the U.S. had no alternative but to expand its presence.
The administration’s renewed focus has drawn bipartisan criticism. Arizona Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego plans to introduce a resolution blocking any U.S. invasion, warning against unilateral action. Republican Representative Don Bacon, a House Armed Services Committee member, called the idea “appalling” and emphasized Denmark’s status as a proven NATO ally.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Senator Thom Tillis, co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate NATO Observer Group, reiterated support for Denmark, describing it as an ally that has earned “unwavering respect” and remains a critical partner in Arctic security. They warned that coercion or external pressure against a fellow NATO ally would undermine the Alliance’s principles of self-determination.
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