Former Vice President Mike Pence has joined a growing number of Republican officials publicly opposing President Trump’s efforts to acquire the Danish territory of Greenland. Pence criticised the administration’s “aggressive tactics” in pursuit of the Arctic island, including threats to seize it through military force.
Pence’s comments echo those of other prominent Republicans, who have warned that Trump’s “current posture” could “fracture” the US relationship with Denmark and its NATO allies. Representative Michael McCaul cautioned that a military invasion of Greenland would “press a war with NATO itself,” while Senate Majority Leader John Thune said there was “certainly not an appetite” for some of the options being considered.
Despite rejecting Trump’s approach, Pence said he supports the broader idea that acquiring Greenland serves US national security interests. The White House has intensified efforts to incorporate the island into the United States in recent weeks, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that “utilising the US military is always an option.”
However, European and NATO allies have firmly opposed Trump’s attempts to acquire the Danish territory. A joint statement from eight European nations condemned the president’s latest tariffs, which they claimed “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.” French President Emmanuel Macron also appeared to compare the Greenland threats to Russia’s war in Ukraine, stating, “No intimidation or threat will influence us.”
Polls suggest there is little public appetite, both in the US and Greenland, for a takeover of the island. A recent Ipsos survey found that just 17% of Americans support Trump’s plan, while a Danish poll found only 6% of Greenlanders would back joining the US.
With growing bipartisan opposition, Trump’s pursuit of Greenland appears to be facing significant challenges. As Pence warned, the administration’s “current posture” risks fracturing crucial alliances, a prospect that many Republican lawmakers are unwilling to accept.
