White House says US military ‘always an option’ as European leaders reject Greenland takeover

The White House says that “US military is always an option,” even as a series of European leaders rejected President Donald Trump’s comments about seeking an American takeover of the world’s largest island.

Trump has floated since his first term the idea of purchasing Greenland, which is part of the kingdom of Denmark. But, after this weekend’s US military action in Venezuela, he’s renewed calls for the US to take over Greenland, citing strategic reasons.

“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,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says in a statement. “The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the commander in chief’s disposal.”

That’s notable since Trump’s newly appointed special envoy to Greenland, as well as deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller, had suggested that military action wouldn’t be necessary. And asked Tuesday if he felt comfortable taking military action in Greenland, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “No. I don’t think it’s appropriate.”