COPENHAGEN — On January 4, 2026, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his intention for the United States to take control of Greenland, calling the move necessary for America's safety.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One and in an interview with The Atlantic magazine, the President argued that Denmark has failed to properly protect the territory. He also claimed that Greenland is surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships, using that as a reason for the U.S. to step in.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen immediately rejected the proposal. In public statements and social media posts, Frederiksen said that Greenland is not available for purchase and called for an end to threats of a forced takeover. She emphasized the importance of protecting Denmark’s right to rule its own land and keep its borders intact.

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, also criticized the President's remarks. In a social media post, Nielsen called the comments disrespectful and completely unacceptable.

Rising Tensions and Military Actions

The diplomatic tension followed a significant U.S. military operation in Venezuela on January 3, 2026. During a surprise raid, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The use of force in South America has alarmed leaders around the world and made Denmark more worried about how the U.S. might treat other territories.

Efforts to gain control of the island began in late 2025. In December, the U.S. government named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special diplomatic representative to Greenland. Around the same time, Danish military intelligence listed the United States as a security risk for the first time in its annual report on security threats.

The situation escalated on January 3, 2026, when Katie Miller, the wife of top White House aide Stephen Miller, shared a map of Greenland covered by an American flag on the social media platform X. The image included the caption "SOON."

International Response

In response to the diplomatic pressure, Denmark agreed to buy 16 more F-35 fighter jets to strengthen its defense in the Arctic. Mujtaba Rahman, an analyst with the Eurasia Group, reported that the Danish government has entered "full crisis mode."

Rahman warned that the situation threatens the unity of NATO and the European Union, which are key groups of allied countries that work together on defense and trade.

International leaders from the United Kingdom, Finland, and the European Union have publicly supported Denmark and Greenland’s right to control their own territory. The Danish government also expressed frustration over reports that the U.S. has been spying and trying to interfere in Greenland’s politics.

Jesper Moller Sorensen, the Danish ambassador to the United States, has asked the U.S. government to show full respect for Denmark's borders. While the U.S. continues to express interest, recent surveys of Greenland’s population show that a majority of residents oppose U.S. rule, with many favoring total independence from Denmark.