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Trump's Greenland push triggers Republican backlash
President Donald Trump's campaign to acquire Greenland has fractured his party, with key Republican lawmakers joining Democrats to oppose what they call a legally dubious and diplomatically reckless move. While Trump insists the Arctic territory is vital for U.S. security, growing resistance on Capitol Hill raises questions about whether Congress can block the effort-or if the president will bypass lawmakers entirely.
Military option off the table, but legal battles loom
Trump ruled out military action to seize Greenland during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, walking back earlier suggestions that force remained an option. The reversal followed bipartisan criticism, including from Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who both rejected the idea of a military intervention.
Yet Trump's broader strategy-including proposed tariffs on countries opposing the bid-has drawn fire from Republicans like Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Tillis warned the tariffs would harm U.S. businesses and allies while benefiting adversaries like China and Russia. "It's great for Putin and Xi," he wrote on social media.
Congress's tools to resist Trump
Lawmakers have limited but potentially powerful levers to thwart Trump's plans. Experts say any purchase of Greenland would require congressional funding, which Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly rejected. "If Trump wants to buy Greenland, it would require an act of Congress," said Daniel Schuman of the American Governance Institute.
A bipartisan group of senators recently advanced a bill to block further military action in Venezuela, signaling growing unease with Trump's unilateral foreign policy. While the measure failed, it underscored frustration over his departure from 2024 campaign promises to reduce overseas interventions. Last week, a congressional delegation visited Denmark in a show of support for Greenland's autonomy.
Treaty hurdles and executive overreach
Even if Trump secures Denmark's cooperation, a formal treaty transferring Greenland to U.S. control would need two-thirds Senate approval-a steep climb given current Republican opposition. Senator Lisa Murkowski, co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, called respect for Greenland's sovereignty "non-negotiable."
Trump could attempt an end-run around Congress via an executive agreement, but legal scholars doubt such a move would withstand scrutiny. "I'm skeptical that something of this magnitude could be concluded as a pure executive agreement," said Josh Chafetz of Georgetown Law. The U.S. already maintains military access to Greenland under a 1951 pact with Denmark, which Murkowski and others argue suffices for security needs.
Divided GOP faces pressure to act
While some Republicans, like Senator Ted Cruz, back Trump's "America First" rationale for acquiring Greenland, others warn of lasting damage to NATO. Senator Mitch McConnell, the former Senate majority leader, told reporters a U.S. takeover would "shatter the trust of allies."
Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska, a Trump critic, suggested the Greenland push could trigger an impeachment inquiry. Yet with Republicans holding slim majorities in both chambers, it remains unclear if enough will defy the president to pass restrictive legislation.
"We need [Greenland] for national security and even world security."
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on Tuesday
Pressed on how far he'd go to acquire the territory, Trump offered no limits. "I think something is going to happen that's going to be very good for everybody," he said, declining to elaborate.
