Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, newly appointed by President Donald Trump as special envoy to Greenland, reportedly made waves over the weekend by openly stating that his mission is to bring the strategically vital Arctic territory under U.S. control.
Landry, a Republican and a close ally of the president, made the comment Sunday night in a public post thanking Trump for the appointment. He described the role as a volunteer position and emphasized that it would not interfere with his duties as governor of Louisiana.
“Thank you @realDonaldTrump! It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.,” Landry wrote on X. “This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!”
Trump, announcing the appointment, praised Landry’s understanding of the geopolitical importance of Greenland, framing the move squarely in terms of national and global security. The president said Landry “understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.”
The comments immediately drew concern from officials in Denmark and Greenland, who issued a joint statement pushing back on the idea that the autonomous territory could be absorbed by another nation. According to the Associated Press, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen stressed that sovereignty and national borders are protected under international law.
“We have said it before. Now, we say it again,” the statement read. “National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law. They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security.”
Trump’s interest in Greenland is not new. During his first term, he publicly floated the idea of purchasing the territory from Denmark, a proposal that was initially mocked by critics but later acknowledged by supporters as a serious reflection of Greenland’s strategic value. Trump revived and intensified that rhetoric during his 2024 campaign, repeatedly arguing that Greenland plays a critical role in U.S. national security, particularly as global competition in the Arctic accelerates.
Greenland, though sparsely populated, occupies a crucial position in the Arctic and is already home to a U.S. military presence. The U.S. Space Force operates a base on the island’s northwest coast, underscoring Washington’s longstanding strategic interests in the region. Control over Arctic routes, missile defense, and early-warning systems has only grown more significant as tensions with global rivals increase.
After returning to office in January, Trump did not rule out the use of military or economic pressure as part of a broader effort to secure U.S. control over Greenland, a stance that alarmed some foreign leaders but energized supporters who see the move as a bold assertion of American interests.
Vice President JD Vance visited the U.S. Space Force base in Greenland in March and offered a more measured public tone, saying the United States is not likely to use military force to take over the territory. Still, the administration has made clear that Greenland remains a top strategic priority.
Landry’s blunt statement that the goal is to make Greenland “part of the U.S.” reflects the Trump administration’s unapologetic approach to foreign policy, one that prioritizes national security and American power over diplomatic niceties. As global competition in the Arctic intensifies, the debate over Greenland’s future appears far from over, and Landry’s appointment signals that the White House intends to keep the issue front and center.
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