Trump continues to explore options for acquiring Greenland

The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump is actively exploring ways for the United States to acquire Greenland, including options that could involve military force, a development that has drawn concern from allies and scrutiny from lawmakers.

Trump has revived a concept he first mentioned years ago, framing the potential acquisition of Greenland as a matter of national security. Over the weekend, the president emphasized that the U.S. “needs” Greenland, raising questions about Denmark’s ability to secure the territory.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced the administration’s position in a statement to multiple news outlets on Tuesday. “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,” Leavitt said. “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.”

At a White House briefing Wednesday, Leavitt was asked why the administration would not rule out military action. “That’s not something this president does,” she said. “All options are always on the table for President Trump.” She added that diplomacy remains the preferred starting point.

Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark, and the suggestion of using force prompted a swift response from Copenhagen and European partners. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that military rhetoric could have severe consequences for NATO, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. Leaders from multiple European countries issued a joint statement emphasizing that Arctic security should be addressed collectively and that decisions regarding Greenland belong to its people and Denmark.

Within the U.S. administration, officials have indicated that the current focus may be on purchasing Greenland rather than military intervention. Reporting from The Wall Street Journal noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed lawmakers on Monday about the possibility of a transaction, while Trump requested updated plans for acquiring the territory. On Capitol Hill Wednesday, Rubio said he was not discussing military intervention publicly and plans to meet with Danish officials next week.

Analyses of Greenland’s potential resources are also underway. According to CNN, the State Department has reviewed the territory’s deposits of rare earth minerals and other natural resources but cautioned that estimates are uncertain and extraction costs are high given the Arctic environment.

The administration’s public messaging has at times sharpened. Senior adviser Stephen Miller told CNN, “The United States should have Greenland as part of the United States. There’s no need to think or talk about this in the context that you’re asking in a military confrontation. Nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.”

The remarks have fueled concern on Capitol Hill, with Sen. Mark Warner describing such language as “very dangerous,” saying it could undermine NATO’s principles of collective defense. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed opposition, and some Democrats are considering legislative measures to limit unilateral military action. Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska criticized the discussion on social media, saying, “Denigrating allies serves no purpose and there is NO up side. Stop the stupid ‘we want Greenland BS.’”

For now, the White House maintains that no immediate action is planned. Still, by raising military options publicly, the administration has shifted the conversation from speculation to strategy, prompting international and domestic stakeholders to respond.