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By Anna Commander
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Republican U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska publicly broke with President Donald Trump on Tuesday over his stated desire to annex Greenland, saying in part, "we must see it as an ally, not an asset, and focus on continued partnership rather than possession."
Newsweek reached out to Murkowski's office via email for additional comment.
Why It Matters
The latest push from Trump to potentially acquire Greenland has sparked significant debate within both American and international political spheres. The effort, framed as a national security priority, has drawn public criticism from sitting Republican lawmakers and prompted unified opposition from European allies.
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The possibility of using military force to acquire the self-governing Danish territory, floated by the White House as a possibility, raises questions about the potential future of the NATO alliance and America's relationships with its European partners. The controversy also places U.S. foreign policy in the Arctic under heightened scrutiny amid a changing global security landscape.
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What To Know
On Tuesday, the Trump administration confirmed it is discussing ways to potentially bring Greenland under U.S. control, saying that “utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander-in-chief’s disposal,” according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, per The Guardian.
Trump has repeatedly described the possibility of acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, as crucial for deterring adversaries and protecting U.S. interests in the Arctic.
Taking to X on Tuesday, Murkowski said, "I continue to hope the administration’s rhetoric on Greenland is nothing more than posturing for a new era of cooperation, because any effort to claim or take the territory by force would degrade both our national security and our international relationships."
The Alaska Republican continued, "We have a long history of close cooperation with Greenland, dating back to World War II and continuing today with the Pituffik Space Base, and have always been able to achieve our mutual goals through strong diplomacy with its people. As Greenland charts its future, we must see it as an ally, not an asset, and focus on continued partnership rather than possession."
Thom Tillis, Republican senator of North Carolina, on Tuesday released a joint statement with Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, saying in part, “When Denmark and Greenland make it clear that Greenland is not for sale, the United States must honor its treaty obligations and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark. Any suggestion that our nation would subject a fellow NATO ally to coercion or external pressure undermines the very principles of self-determination that our Alliance exists to defend."
Shaheen and Tillis, co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate NATO Observer Group, continued: “With an active war in Ukraine and rising threats from Russia and China in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific, we cannot afford distractions or divisions within NATO. The strength of the transatlantic community lies in its unity, built on mutual respect rather than transactional rhetoric. Our alliances deter aggressors and share the burden of collective defense. We must stay focused on the real threats before us and work with our allies, not against them, to advance our shared security. As we confront the challenges of the 21st century, we do so alongside allies like Denmark who stand with us by choice, not by compulsion.”
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What People Are Saying
Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona, on X Tuesday: "This is not more complicated than the fact that Trump wants a giant island with his name on it. He wouldn’t think twice about putting our troops in danger if it makes him feel big and strong. The US military is not a toy."
Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy and Trump's Homeland Security adviser, to CNN on Monday in part: "The United States is the power of NATO. For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States."
What Happens Next
The Trump administration is bound to face continued diplomatic pushback from European partners, with potential long-term impacts on NATO unity and U.S. credibility abroad.
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