Congress Heads to Copenhagen to Rein in Trump
President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, citing the island’s strategic location in the Arctic and its rich mineral resources.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, citing the island’s strategic location in the Arctic and its rich mineral resources. Though Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, Trump has not ruled out the use of force to secure it, prompting international concern. The idea first emerged in 2019, but it has faced bipartisan opposition in the United States. European nations, including Denmark, have responded by sending small numbers of military personnel to Greenland to demonstrate sovereignty and readiness, while diplomatic channels work to prevent escalation.
Congressional Visit
A bipartisan delegation of 11 U.S. lawmakers, led by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, arrived in Copenhagen to meet Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen. Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski are also part of the delegation, though Democrats form the majority.
The lawmakers aim to reassure Denmark and Greenland of congressional support for NATO and signal opposition to any unilateral attempt by the White House to seize Greenland.
Coons stated, “At a time of increasing international instability, we need to draw closer to our allies, not drive them away,” emphasizing the importance of cooperation in the Arctic.
White House and Diplomatic Context
The visit follows a high-stakes White House meeting where Danish and Greenlandic officials met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. Despite the talks, Danish leaders reported no change in the U.S. administration’s position. Denmark has stressed that Arctic security cooperation must respect territorial integrity, international law, and the UN Charter. Greenland’s leaders have echoed the need for diplomacy, warning against any moves that would violate sovereignty.
Bipartisan Opposition
Congressional opposition to Trump’s Greenland ambitions is strong. Both Democrats and Republicans have threatened legislation to limit the president’s ability to annex the island, citing constitutional war powers.
Public opinion also strongly opposes the plan. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found only 17% of Americans support Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, with large majorities rejecting military action. Trump dismissed the poll as “fake,” but the political consensus in Washington remains firmly against unilateral annexation.
What’s Next
The congressional visit is likely to produce formal statements of support for Denmark and Greenland, reinforcing the message that the U.S. executive branch cannot act alone in matters of territory acquisition.
Legislative efforts may follow to codify congressional oversight, limiting the president’s ability to deploy military force to seize territory. Meanwhile, Denmark and Greenland are expected to continue diplomatic outreach in Washington, aiming to secure international backing and prevent escalation.
If Trump continues to push the issue, it could spark tensions within his own party, complicating Arctic security policy and U.S.-Europe relations. Observers will watch closely whether the visit reduces the risk of unilateral action or if the dispute will persist as a political flashpoint.
With information from Reuters.