Congress Faces Dilemma Over Trump's Greenland Ambitions

Thu Jan 22 2026 02:55:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As President Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland continues to raise eyebrows, his efforts face potential opposition from both parties in Congress, highlighting complex international laws and military considerations.

President Trump's proposal to acquire Greenland has triggered a mixed response in Congress, with some Republicans siding with Democrats against the plan. Trump's previous military options have been dismissed, while concerns grow over international law and NATO relationships. Congress holds the power to block any financial commitment for the acquisition, though questions remain about the administration's capacity to act unilaterally without Congress's approval.

President Donald Trump's push to acquire Greenland has sparked a backlash from Republicans in Congress, as lawmakers voice growing concern about US military interventions overseas.

But it remains unclear if enough Republicans are willing to join Democrats to block a takeover of the island territory - and whether Trump would bow to pressure from Congress, or act alone as he's done several times in a second term marked by growing American entanglements abroad.

The focus on Greenland has grown into a broader discussion over the Trump administration's unilateral use of military force, along with diplomatic and economic coercion, to project power in Venezuela, Iran and elsewhere around the world.

Republicans have largely backed Trump's foreign policy agenda since he returned to the White House. But now, a growing number are siding with Democrats in Congress and NATO allies who say a takeover of Greenland would violate US and international law.

In recent days, some Republican leaders have said there's little interest in the US buying Greenland or seizing it through military force. The White House had previously left the military option on the table but on Wednesday it was ruled out by Trump in his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Some Republican lawmakers have also joined Democrats in opposing a new plan by Trump to place tariffs on countries that don't back his bid to acquire the territory, which is self-governed but controlled by Denmark.

Other Republicans have voiced support for Trump. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said on Sunday that it was overwhelmingly in America's national interest to own Greenland. When it comes to Greenland, I want to commend President Trump, for being single-mindedly focused on America First, on US economic interests, and US national security interests, Cruz said in a Fox News interview.

However, the administration may look to claim new authority to seize Greenland, circumventing any opposition from Congress.

As debates unfold, lawmakers are signaling their preference for prohibiting any US action in Greenland without explicit congressional approval, although achieving bipartisan consensus remains uncertain.