Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is pushing back forcefully against any attempt to use U.S. military power to acquire Greenland, saying he would work to stop it even as the White House discusses “a range of options” for the strategically important Arctic territory.
Paul: No Military Takeover
In an interview on “CBS Mornings,” Paul said he would oppose any effort to seize Greenland by force.
“It won’t happen under my watch. I will do everything to stop any kind of military takeover of Greenland,” he said.
Paul argued that any change in Greenland’s status would need to come through diplomacy and consent—starting with goodwill toward Greenlanders and, potentially, a public vote in Greenland on independence from Denmark. From there, he suggested, Washington could pursue some form of offer that Greenland’s residents would view as beneficial.
He also pointed to past U.S. territorial expansions that were completed through negotiation, not coercion—citing the Louisiana Purchase and the purchase of Alaska. Paul said insulting or threatening counterparts would make any diplomatic path harder, not easier.
“I see no scenario in which military—I or really, for that matter, any of my colleagues in the Senate would support a military takeover of Greenland,” Paul said, adding that even talk of force is “not constructive,” whether or not it’s serious.
Trump’s Comments and the White House Line
Paul’s remarks come as President Trump has renewed and escalated rhetoric about Greenland, arguing it is a national security priority and framing U.S. control as a way to prevent rivals from gaining influence.
During a meeting with oil and gas executives, Trump said: “I’m not talking about money for Greenland yet, I might talk about that but right now we are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not because if we don’t do it Russia or China will take over Greenland and we’re not gonna have Russia or China as a neighbor.”
He added: “I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way. But if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re gonna do it the hard way.” Trump also stressed ownership over leasing arrangements: “Because when we own it, we defend it. You don’t defend leases the same way. You have to own.”
Separately, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is exploring “a range of options” and described the issue as a national security priority—adding that “utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal.” (ABC News)
Context: Rising Tensions After Venezuela
The debate over Greenland is unfolding amid broader international tensions following U.S. action in Venezuela, including the capture of Nicolás Maduro and major shifts in the country’s political landscape. (reuters.com)
