WASHINGTON, January 6, 2026 – The White House on Tuesday confirmed that President Donald Trump's administration is actively discussing a "range of options" to acquire Greenland, explicitly stating that utilizing the U.S. military remains "always an option" available to the commander-in-chief. The announcement escalates long-standing U.S. interest in the autonomous Danish territory, citing national security concerns in the Arctic region.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued the statement in response to media inquiries, emphasizing Trump's view that Greenland is essential for deterring adversaries. "President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region," Leavitt said. "The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal."
The comments come amid heightened tensions following Trump's renewed public statements on Greenland over the weekend. On Sunday, aboard Air Force One, Trump reiterated the need for U.S. control, stating, “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.” He highlighted alleged Russian and Chinese naval activity around the island, describing it as "covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place."
This push follows a dramatic U.S. military operation in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, codenamed "Operation Absolute Resolve," in which American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Maduro was subsequently transported to New York to face federal drug and weapons charges. The operation, involving airstrikes and a raid on Maduro's residence in Caracas, has been described by Trump as a demonstration of U.S. military prowess and has fueled speculation about similar actions elsewhere.
Greenland, the world's largest island with a population of approximately 57,000, is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. It holds significant strategic value due to its location in the Arctic, hosting the U.S.-operated Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base), which supports ballistic missile early warning systems. The territory is also rich in untapped rare earth minerals, critical for advanced technologies, electric vehicles, and military equipment—resources increasingly accessible as climate change melts Arctic ice and opens new shipping routes.
Trump's interest in Greenland dates back to his first term, when he publicly floated purchasing the island in 2019, calling it "essentially a large real estate deal." The idea was firmly rejected by Denmark at the time. In recent months, Trump has appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to advance U.S. interests in Greenland and has refused to rule out force or economic pressure.
The White House statement on Tuesday specified that options under consideration include an outright purchase or establishing a Compact of Free Association, similar to arrangements with Pacific islands. However, the explicit mention of military force has drawn sharp international rebuke.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has strongly condemned the rhetoric, urging Trump to "stop the threats" against a NATO ally. In statements over the weekend and Monday, Frederiksen warned that a U.S. military attack on Greenland would mark "the end of NATO" and undermine post-World War II security structures. "If the United States decides to militarily attack another NATO country, then everything would stop – that includes NATO and therefore the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War," she told Danish broadcaster TV2.
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen echoed this, calling Trump's comments "utterly unacceptable" and declaring "enough is enough" regarding "threats, pressure, and talk of annexation." Nielsen stressed that linking Greenland to the Venezuela operation was "wrong" and "disrespectful."
European leaders rallied in support on Tuesday, issuing a joint statement from France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark affirming that "Greenland belongs to its people" and that only Denmark and Greenland can decide its future. The statement highlighted the U.S. as an "essential partner" in Arctic security but underscored principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity under the UN Charter.
Senior Trump aide Stephen Miller, in a CNN interview, downplayed the need for military action, asserting that "nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland" due to its small population.
Analysts note that Greenland's resources and position make it a focal point in great-power competition. Russia and China have increased Arctic investments, prompting U.S. concerns. However, polls indicate limited domestic support for military action, with one survey finding only 7% of Americans favoring a seizure by force.
The U.S. already maintains significant access to Greenland through defense agreements with Denmark, including the Pituffik base. Denmark has offered to expand U.S. military presence, but the White House has shown little interest, according to sources familiar with discussions.
As of January 6, 2026, no formal negotiations have been announced, and diplomatic channels remain strained. The situation underscores broader tensions in transatlantic relations, with European allies expressing alarm over U.S. unilateralism following the Venezuela operation.
Trump administration officials insist diplomacy and "dealmaking" are preferred, but the explicit inclusion of military options signals a hardline stance. A senior official told Reuters anonymously that the issue "is not going away" and that Trump aims to resolve it during his term.
This developing story highlights the intersection of national security, resource competition, and alliance dynamics in the Arctic, a region of growing geopolitical importance.
