White House Confirms Military "Always an Option" in Pursuit of Greenland
WASHINGTON D.C. — In a stark escalation of Arctic geopolitical tensions, the White House confirmed on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, that the United States is actively weighing a "range of options" to acquire Greenland, explicitly stating that the use of the U.S. military remains a viable path toward that goal.
The announcement comes just days after a U.S. military operation in Venezuela resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro, a move that analysts say has signaled a new, more assertive phase of American foreign policy.
"National Security Priority"
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that President Trump views the acquisition of the semi-autonomous Danish territory as an urgent matter of national defense.
"President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region," Leavitt said. When pressed on whether the administration would consider a non-consensual takeover, she added:
"The president and his team are discussing a range of options... and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander-in-chief’s disposal."
Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller echoed this sentiment on Monday, dismissing "international niceties" and stating that the "real world is governed by strength."
The "Golden Dome" and the Arctic Race
The administration’s interest in the 836,000-square-mile island is fueled by two primary factors:
Strategic Defense: The U.S. intends to use Greenland as a staging ground for the "Golden Dome" missile defense system.
Resource Competition: As polar ice thins, Greenland’s massive deposits of rare earth minerals and its proximity to new shipping lanes have made it the center of a "New Cold War" involving Russia and China.
Denmark Warns of NATO’s Collapse
The rhetoric from Washington has sparked an unprecedented crisis within the NATO alliance. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a blistering response, calling the threats "unacceptable and disrespectful."
"If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops," Frederiksen warned. "That is, including our NATO, and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War."
Current Global Stance on Greenland Acquisition | Entity | Official Stance | | :--- | :--- | | Kingdom of Denmark | Rejects any sale or annexation; maintains Greenland is sovereign territory. | | Greenland Government | PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen states the country "is not for sale." | | Nordic Council | Issued a joint statement backing Danish territorial integrity. | | United States | Claims Denmark is "unable" to secure the region against foreign incursions. |
Timeline of Recent Escalation
Dec 2025: President Trump appoints a "Special Envoy to Greenland."
Jan 4, 2026: Trump tells reporters on Air Force One: "We need Greenland... let's talk about it in 20 days."
Jan 5, 2026: Stephen Miller’s wife, Katie Miller, posts an image of Greenland covered in the U.S. flag with the caption: "SOON."
Jan 6, 2026: White House confirms military options are being discussed.
While the administration has suggested a "Compact of Free Association" or an outright purchase as preferred "deals," the refusal to rule out military force has left European allies scrambling to redefine their security architecture without U.S. guarantees.
This video provides historical context on the administration's long-standing interest in the territory and the strategic reasons behind the recent escalation in 2026
