Representative Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, is sharply criticizing President Donald Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland, calling the effort “immoral” just days after he suggested the president’s rhetoric could trigger impeachment talk.
Why It Matters
Last week, Bacon dismissed Trump’s talk of taking over Greenland as “utter buffoonery,” adding that it could invite impeachment efforts—an especially notable warning coming from within the president’s own party. By openly arguing that Trump’s threats about Greenland could cross a line warranting removal from office, the five-term congressman underscores how divisive the issue has become both in Washington and among U.S. allies.
Bacon, who has served in Congress since 2017, has said he will not seek reelection in 2026.
Since returning to office exactly one year ago, Trump has escalated his statements about annexing Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark that hosts the U.S. space base at Pituffik. Trump has argued the island is vital to U.S. security, and the White House has declined to rule out military action to obtain it.
The U.S. and Denmark are NATO allies, bound by Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all. Analysts have warned that any U.S. military move against a NATO partner would cause a profound rupture inside the alliance.
What To Know
On Monday, Bacon posted on X, “Very embarrassing conduct,” reacting to reports that Trump told Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre he wanted Greenland because he did not win the Nobel Peace Prize.
After a user replied, “Outcomes matter dope,” Bacon pushed back on Trump’s approach: “Ends don’t justify the means Goofy. It’s immoral.”
On Tuesday, Bacon responded to a recent poll indicating that 30 percent of Republicans supported using military force to take Greenland. “We obviously need more of the Gospel in our lives,” he wrote. “Too many have lost their moral compass.”
A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted January 14 to 16 found that 70 percent of Republicans opposed Trump using military force to take control of Greenland. Among Democrats and independents, opposition was 97 percent and 90 percent, respectively. Overall, 86 percent of U.S. adults said they opposed using military force against the U.S. ally.
The same poll found that 70 percent of U.S. adults opposed a plan to purchase Greenland from Denmark. The survey polled 2,523 U.S. adults and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.
Trump’s posture has drawn strong international backlash, with European allies viewing his stance as a threat to NATO and to Greenland’s sovereignty.
Some European countries have sent troops to Greenland, while Trump has announced new tariffs on European countries that oppose U.S. efforts to take control of the territory. Early Tuesday, Trump shared what appeared to be an AI-edited image on Truth Social showing a map with the American flag over Greenland, Canada and Venezuela during a conversation with European leaders. He also shared a photo of himself, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio holding an American flag beside a sign reading, “Greenland—U.S. Territory. Est. 2026.”
Bacon warned last week that “if he went through with the threats, I think it would be the end of his presidency. And he needs to know: The off-ramp is realizing Republicans aren’t going to tolerate this and he’s going to have to back off. He hates being told no, but in this case, I think Republicans need to be firm.”
Global leaders are meeting this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Greenland has become a prominent subject of discussion.
What Happens Next
Trump is scheduled to speak in Davos on Wednesday. The newly announced tariffs are set to take effect on February 1.
