Trump Explores Various Approaches to Greenland Acquisition, White House Confirms

President Donald Trump on Jan. 6, 2026.
Credit:

Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• President Donald Trump initiated military strikes in Venezuela early on January 3.
• He is reportedly evaluating further military actions to advance U.S. interests in acquiring Greenland, which he deems a national security priority.
• “Utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal,” stated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has reaffirmed that the use of the U.S. military remains “always an option” as President Donald Trump pursues his ambition to acquire Greenland.

Following a recent strike in Venezuela, where U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Trump is reportedly reviewing a range of options to advance this “important foreign policy goal,” according to Reuters.

“President Trump has made it clear that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority and vital for deterring adversaries in the Arctic region,” Leavitt commented. “The President and his team are exploring a range of options to achieve this goal, with military action remaining an option.”

Karoline Leavitt.

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Leavitt’s comments followed those of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who indicated that President Trump intends to purchase Greenland as opposed to invading the self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, as reported by CNN and The New York Times. The U.S. and Denmark are both NATO allies.

The administration is also contemplating the establishment of a compact of free association or formal acquisition of Greenland from Denmark, CBS News reported.

Greenland flag in Igaliku.

IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty

On January 4, Trump elaborated aboard Air Force One that the U.S. could engage similarly in Colombia, Cuba, and Greenland, alongside Iran and Mexico, in the context of regional security after the capture of Maduro.

In remarks reflecting his longstanding desire to annex Greenland, Trump stated, “It’s so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from a national security standpoint, and Denmark will not be able to manage it.”

According to CBS News, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that actions to seize control of Greenland could threaten the integrity of the NATO alliance.

President Donald Trump at a press conference on December 29, 2025.

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Frederiksen emphasized, “If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including our NATO, and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.”

A letter from the Denmark Prime Minister’s Office, signed by Danish and European NATO leaders on January 6, also rejected Trump’s ambitions regarding Greenland, stating, “Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”