Donald Trump has renewed a push to bring Greenland under greater US control, prompting strong objections from Greenlandic and European leaders and warnings that any assault on a NATO ally could undermine the alliance. The White House said military action is "always an option," while reports indicate officials would prefer a negotiated purchase. The update was included in a wider briefing covering the contested detention reports regarding Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, debates over Venezuelan oil, expanded immigration enforcement in Minnesota, and limited DOJ releases on Jeffrey Epstein-related files.
Trump Revives Bid To Acquire Greenland, Prompting Strong NATO Pushback
A demonstrator protests in front of the American consulate in Nuuk, the Greenland capital, in March 2025.Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Donald Trump has renewed efforts to bring Greenland — an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark — under greater US control, a proposal that has drawn firm opposition from Greenlandic and European leaders and raised fresh concerns within the alliance.
The White House said Mr. Trump and his advisers are exploring “a range of options” to secure the island, and a statement added that using US military force remained “always an option.” The comments have heightened tensions between Washington, Nuuk and European capitals.
Reports linked the renewed interest in Greenland to other recent US actions in the Western Hemisphere. Some outlets have reported that Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro was detained in a recent US operation; those reports remain contested and are the subject of intense international attention and debate.
International Reaction
Greenland’s government has repeatedly stated it does not want to become part of the United States. The proposal is also unpopular with many Americans: one poll cited in news reports found just 7% of respondents would support a military seizure of Greenland.
In a show of solidarity, leaders from Denmark, France, Germany, Britain and other NATO members issued a joint appeal urging the US to respect Greenland’s sovereignty and to prioritize Arctic security within NATO cooperation.
According to reporting in the Wall Street Journal, in a private Capitol Hill briefing a senior administration official indicated the administration would prefer purchasing the island from Denmark rather than pursuing military action. That account underscores the sensitive diplomatic and legal questions any such proposal would raise.
Responses From Greenland And Denmark
Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, condemned the idea as “fantasies about annexation” and described the rhetoric from Washington as “completely and utterly unacceptable,” adding: “Enough is enough.” Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, warned that any attack on a NATO ally would risk undermining the post–Second World War security architecture.
Related Developments In The US Briefing
The broader briefing and news roundup also covered a range of domestic and international issues: disputes over Venezuelan oil and post-operation planning for its extraction, stepped-up immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota described by officials as the agency’s largest operation to date, limited public release of Department of Justice documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, and other political and legal stories in Washington.
“This is a serious diplomatic matter,” said a European official commenting on the Greenland proposal. “Any attempt to change the status of a NATO territory would have deep implications for alliance unity and Arctic security.”
This article summarizes multiple reports and statements circulating in international and US media. Where claims remain disputed, they are reported as such; readers should consult primary sources and official statements for confirmation.
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