US Senators Reject Trump's Plan to Use Military Force in Greenland, Warn of 'Substantial Opposition'
A group of Republican senators has publicly vowed to resist any US attempt to seize control of Greenland by military force, as diplomatic efforts with Denmark remain stalled. The warning came after President Donald Trump openly threatened to use force to secure the remote island nation.
"We have coequal branches of government, and I believe that there is a sufficient number of members who are concerned about this," said Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), one of the lawmakers set to meet with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Friday. The meeting aims to reassure Denmark of Republican opposition to any military intervention.
Tillis' stance was echoed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who warned that using force in Greenland would "incinerate" ties with NATO allies, making America's presence in the Arctic "impossible." Senator James Lankford (R-OK) was similarly blunt, stating that Greenland is an ally of Denmark and that military action would be "unacceptable."
Not all Republican senators shared this sentiment, however. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) suggested that a resolution could be reached through diplomatic negotiations, while Roger Wicker (R-MS) urged cooperation with Denmark.
The threat of military force was not taken lightly by Greenland's foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt, who became tearful after meeting with US officials at the White House. The situation remains tense, with Trump repeatedly stating that he wants to seize control of Greenland "the easy way" - or else use force.
The standoff highlights the deepening rift between the US and Denmark over Greenland's future. While some US lawmakers are sympathetic to Trump's ambitions, many others appear unwilling to back such an aggressive approach, setting up a potential showdown with the Danish government.
A group of Republican senators has publicly vowed to resist any US attempt to seize control of Greenland by military force, as diplomatic efforts with Denmark remain stalled. The warning came after President Donald Trump openly threatened to use force to secure the remote island nation.
"We have coequal branches of government, and I believe that there is a sufficient number of members who are concerned about this," said Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), one of the lawmakers set to meet with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Friday. The meeting aims to reassure Denmark of Republican opposition to any military intervention.
Tillis' stance was echoed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who warned that using force in Greenland would "incinerate" ties with NATO allies, making America's presence in the Arctic "impossible." Senator James Lankford (R-OK) was similarly blunt, stating that Greenland is an ally of Denmark and that military action would be "unacceptable."
Not all Republican senators shared this sentiment, however. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) suggested that a resolution could be reached through diplomatic negotiations, while Roger Wicker (R-MS) urged cooperation with Denmark.
The threat of military force was not taken lightly by Greenland's foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt, who became tearful after meeting with US officials at the White House. The situation remains tense, with Trump repeatedly stating that he wants to seize control of Greenland "the easy way" - or else use force.
The standoff highlights the deepening rift between the US and Denmark over Greenland's future. While some US lawmakers are sympathetic to Trump's ambitions, many others appear unwilling to back such an aggressive approach, setting up a potential showdown with the Danish government.