Trump seeks plan to acquire Greenland, raising alarms at home and abroad

President Trump has asked for an updated plan to acquire Greenland, the semiautonomous Danish territory he has long coveted, a move that has put allies and lawmakers on edge, The Times reports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that Mr. Trump planned to buy Greenland rather than invade it, but the administration also suggested the president had not ruled out military action.

It is unclear whether the president is serious about seizing Greenland by force, a prospect that the newsletter said felt more plausible in light of the capture of Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela. Lawmakers in both parties have expressed concern about a possible U.S. invasion—"I don’t think that’s appropriate," Speaker Mike Johnson said—and some members are planning legislation that would require the president to seek congressional authorization first.

Politico outlined possible alternatives under consideration, including offering Greenland a Compact of Free Association, making a purchase offer, or, as Politico noted, a military operation that could seize Nuuk in perhaps a half-hour; a poll last year suggested most Greenlanders do not want to become part of the United States.

European leaders have continued to support Denmark and warned that a U.S. invasion could undermine NATO and embolden Russia, with broader implications for geopolitics and markets.

Key Topics

World, Donald Trump, Greenland, Denmark, Marco Rubio, Mike Johnson