Trump's Greenland Envoy Says Goal Is for Territory to Become 'Part of the U.S.'; Danish Officials Push Back

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said his goal as President Donald Trump's newly appointed special envoy to Greenland is to make the autonomous Danish territory "part of the U.S.," a remark that drew swift objections from leaders in Denmark and Greenland.

Landry made the comment in a post on X thanking Trump for the appointment. "It's an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!" he wrote.

Trump announced the appointment on Sunday, saying 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."

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded in a joint statement reported by the Associated Press, rejecting the idea of U.S. control over the territory.

"National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law," said the statement. "You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security." They added that "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland."

Danish officials added that the government would summon the U.S. ambassador in Copenhagen following the announcement. A Danish government official said there was no prior warning from Washington about Landry's appointment.

Trump has repeatedly raised the idea of U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland since his first term and intensified that rhetoric during the 2024 campaign. After returning to office in January, he declined to rule out using military or economic force to gain control of the territory, calling it vital to U.S. security interests.

The United States operates the Pituffik Space Base on Greenland's northwest coast. In March, Vice President JD Vance visited the base and said the U.S. was unlikely to use military force, arguing instead that Greenlanders could eventually pursue independence from Denmark and then negotiate with Washington.

Greenland's Nielsen has said the island "will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought," while European Union officials have stressed that Denmark's territorial integrity is essential under international law.