A Growing Crack in the Republican Ranks as Trump's Greenland Gambit Falters
The US president's long-held ambitions to seize control of Greenland have sparked a rare display of dissent among congressional Republicans, with several high-ranking lawmakers now openly warning against pursuing the idea. The pushback comes as polling suggests that a majority of Americans strongly oppose the notion, and Denmark has warned that any invasion would spell disaster for Nato.
North Carolina senator Thom Tillis and Nebraska congressman Don Bacon are just two of the senior Republicans who have joined forces to sound the alarm. "The thought of the US taking the position that we would take Greenland is absurd," Tillis said in a Senate floor speech, citing the island's long-standing pro-American history. Bacon, meanwhile, threatened that if Trump presses ahead with his threats, he could face a major backfire - and even lose his re-election bid.
The concerns are compounded by warnings from former Senate leader Mitch McConnell, who has likened the prospect of US control to Joe Biden's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. "Following through on this provocation would be more disastrous for the president's legacy than withdrawing from Afghanistan was," McConnell said. The potential consequences, he added, include incinerating the trust of loyal allies and alienating key partners in a bid for no tangible benefits.
Trump has maintained an expansionist streak since taking office, including public declarations of support for annexing Canada and the Panama canal - despite Greenland being part of Denmark, a Nato ally. The issue had seemingly faded from the agenda as Trump grappled with sagging approval ratings but has resurfaced following the successful raid in Venezuela that saw Maduro taken into custody.
European countries have swiftly denounced Trump's comments, while troops from several key nations have converged on Greenland to demonstrate their support and assess what a sustained deployment might entail. The foreign ministers of Greenland and Denmark met with Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but the meeting failed to sway the president's stance.
Trump has insisted that the US still needs Greenland for national security reasons, and even warned of imposing tariffs on countries opposing his campaign. However, as several high-ranking Republicans now openly question his strategy, it remains to be seen whether Trump can muster enough support within his own party to push forward with his plans.
A growing number of lawmakers are taking a firmer stance against the president's ambitions - not just those who have already broken ranks but also some close allies. Senator Lisa Murkowski has expressed concerns that Greenland should be viewed as an ally, not an asset, while Ohio congressman Mike Turner emphasized the importance of respecting sovereignty and maintaining transatlantic relationships.
Even senior Republicans like Louisiana senator John Kennedy are now speaking out against Trump's plans, with Kennedy labeling any invasion "weapons-grade stupid." The prospect of a major internal rift in the Republican ranks raises questions about whether Trump can successfully navigate this crisis - or if it might ultimately prove his undoing.
The US president's long-held ambitions to seize control of Greenland have sparked a rare display of dissent among congressional Republicans, with several high-ranking lawmakers now openly warning against pursuing the idea. The pushback comes as polling suggests that a majority of Americans strongly oppose the notion, and Denmark has warned that any invasion would spell disaster for Nato.
North Carolina senator Thom Tillis and Nebraska congressman Don Bacon are just two of the senior Republicans who have joined forces to sound the alarm. "The thought of the US taking the position that we would take Greenland is absurd," Tillis said in a Senate floor speech, citing the island's long-standing pro-American history. Bacon, meanwhile, threatened that if Trump presses ahead with his threats, he could face a major backfire - and even lose his re-election bid.
The concerns are compounded by warnings from former Senate leader Mitch McConnell, who has likened the prospect of US control to Joe Biden's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. "Following through on this provocation would be more disastrous for the president's legacy than withdrawing from Afghanistan was," McConnell said. The potential consequences, he added, include incinerating the trust of loyal allies and alienating key partners in a bid for no tangible benefits.
Trump has maintained an expansionist streak since taking office, including public declarations of support for annexing Canada and the Panama canal - despite Greenland being part of Denmark, a Nato ally. The issue had seemingly faded from the agenda as Trump grappled with sagging approval ratings but has resurfaced following the successful raid in Venezuela that saw Maduro taken into custody.
European countries have swiftly denounced Trump's comments, while troops from several key nations have converged on Greenland to demonstrate their support and assess what a sustained deployment might entail. The foreign ministers of Greenland and Denmark met with Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but the meeting failed to sway the president's stance.
Trump has insisted that the US still needs Greenland for national security reasons, and even warned of imposing tariffs on countries opposing his campaign. However, as several high-ranking Republicans now openly question his strategy, it remains to be seen whether Trump can muster enough support within his own party to push forward with his plans.
A growing number of lawmakers are taking a firmer stance against the president's ambitions - not just those who have already broken ranks but also some close allies. Senator Lisa Murkowski has expressed concerns that Greenland should be viewed as an ally, not an asset, while Ohio congressman Mike Turner emphasized the importance of respecting sovereignty and maintaining transatlantic relationships.
Even senior Republicans like Louisiana senator John Kennedy are now speaking out against Trump's plans, with Kennedy labeling any invasion "weapons-grade stupid." The prospect of a major internal rift in the Republican ranks raises questions about whether Trump can successfully navigate this crisis - or if it might ultimately prove his undoing.
This whole Greenland thing is just another example of how out of touch Trump is with reality. I mean, come on, folks! The guy thinks he can just take over an entire island without anyone even batting an eye? 
It's like he's trying to make himself look like a giant bully on the world stage.
It's not just the Republicans who are speaking out against him either - even some of his own party members are getting cold feet.
We need to be working together with them, not trying to take over their country.
?! Like, what's next? 
His gamble is really faltering now with so many high-ranking Republicans speaking out against him. Even some of his closest allies are getting cold feet 
. The whole thing just seems so absurd now - I mean, we're talking about annexing a sovereign nation over national security concerns 
I guess Trump just wants to stir up trouble and distract from his approval ratings 
. But honestly, it's not working 
. Can we just move on from this Greenland debacle? 
and now Denmark is saying it'll be bad for NATO if we invade... come on trump! 
. but seriously, this whole thing is a mess and I don't think he knows what he's getting himself into 
.
.
. And let's be real, what's really in it for us? Some ice and snow? Please 
. The whole thing just smells like another one of Trump's hare-brained schemes that are gonna end up costing us all in the long run 
.
. The idea of taking Greenland seems like a pipe dream and it's going to be hard for him to get his party on board with something that's just going to alienate allies and cause more problems in the long run 
. Biden should use this as an example of how his predecessor's antics are harming the country and not being taken seriously by world leaders 
.
anyway, have you guys tried those new ghost peppers at your local spice shop? i had them on my pizza last night and OMG they're spicy 
It seems like Trump is just doing this for attention and to prove a point. And honestly, I don't think it's gonna work out as well for him as he thinks it will... The more I read about it, the more I think some of these republicans are being pretty sensible for once 
. And Denmark is totally right to be all like "nope, we're good" 
.
.
. But hey, at least some folks are standing up for what's right and not just going along with his harebrained schemes 
. Fingers crossed this whole thing blows over and we can move on from the drama 
this whole thing just smells like more of trump being trump 
maybe even some dems too 
. Maybe this will be the wake-up call he needs to get his act together 
.
That was some quality entertainment right there.
Ugh.