By Trendsetter Tribune 
Several senior Republicans are distancing themselves from talk inside the Trump administration about potentially taking control of Greenland — including the suggestion that military force could be an option.
Greenland, a largely autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, is rich in natural resources and hosts the U.S. Pituffik Space Base. While former President Donald Trump has previously expressed interest in acquiring the island, Danish and Greenlandic officials have repeatedly rejected the idea.
Both the United States and Denmark are NATO members, meaning any attack on one is treated as an attack on all under Article 5. Critics argue that even discussing military action could undermine the alliance.
Trump recently described Greenland as important for “national security,” while Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller said the administration considers incorporating Greenland into the U.S. its “formal position.” In a post on X, Miller’s wife shared an image of the U.S. flag covering Greenland with the caption “SOON.”
Some administration officials have also suggested that “force is always an option.”
Republicans Express Doubts
Several leading Republicans publicly questioned or criticized the idea.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he did not see military action as “an option,” while Senator Mike Rounds said such an approach was “not viable,” emphasizing that discussions should involve the people who currently hold sovereignty.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Greenland was “not on my list,” adding the topic had not come up in his recent meeting with Trump. Representative Don Bacon called the push “appalling,” writing on X that “Greenland decides its future.”
Others suggested the administration’s statements may be positioning rather than policy. House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers said the rhetoric may simply be “priming the pump” for future negotiations.
International Pushback
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the U.S. has no legal basis to annex Greenland and already benefits from access through existing agreements.
A joint statement from leaders in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark emphasized that Arctic security must respect sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law. The statement added that “Greenland belongs to its people.”
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski warned that any attempt to seize Greenland by force would harm U.S. security and alliances, saying the U.S. should treat Greenland “as an ally, not an asset.”
Congress Moves to Limit Action
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego has introduced an amendment to block funding for any military move on Greenland, warning against what he described as “wars of conquest.”
Some lawmakers stressed that the U.S. already has strong defense cooperation with Denmark and Greenland. Representative Blake Moore noted that Denmark has historically allowed U.S. military expansion when necessary, saying threats of annexation undermine relationships “for no gain.”
For now, it remains unclear what actions — if any — the administration may pursue regarding Greenland.