'You're for attacking Greenland?' CNN panel gets heated as Republican defends US expansion

A heated debate unfolded Tuesday night on CNN over President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion that the U.S. obtain Greenland, either through economic or military force.

Trump has said the U.S. needs the massive island for "economic security." When asked Tuesday if he would consider using military or economic coercion to make the acquisition proceed, Trump replied: “I can’t assure you — you’re talking about Panama and Greenland — no, I can’t assure you on either of those two."

His escalating words became the topic of a lively discussion on CNN's NewsNight, with Josh Rogin, global opinions columnist for The Washington Post, drawing a quick retort from GOP strategist Scott Jennings, when Rogin said: "America is not an expansionist military power. Not in the 21st century."

"Why?" Jennings flatly interjected. "Why not?"

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"Because that's not the world that we live in," replied Rogin.

As host Abby Philip turned to Jennings and asked him to answer his own question, a taken-aback Rogin interrupted as well: "So you're for attacking Greenland as well? Is that what you're saying? You're open to the idea of attacking Greenland?"

Jennings denied the insinuation and said the United States doesn't have to attack the island.

"We can buy it," he said, to which Rogin insisted the island is not up for sale, and cannot be bought.

"What you're saying is not true," said Rogin.

"Everything is not up for sale until it is," Jennings replied, as both men continued to ignore Philip.

Philip finally noted to Jennings the new order of the world is superpowers do not get to "take" smaller countries with military force.

"That is the era of not being in an expansionist military era," she said, asking why he feels that's "not true."

Jennings said Phillip can "think small" but Trump isn't.

"Trump's thinking big and he's thinking about U.S. interests," he said, noting the island has rare minerals and the U.S. has a facility there already.

He added: "What Donald Trump is saying is we are not a shrinking violet anymore."

Later in the discussion, as Jennings insisted Trump's unpredictability makes the rest of the world take Trump seriously, Philip said she'd had enough.

"I have to call this out because at the end of the day, this is the 21st century. Ok? The United States is not running around the world and saying, 'I must have that! We'll take it!' This is not the colonial era. Are we really in a world in which you are comfortable saying the United States is now going to be one of those countries that just takes whatever they feel like taking on the map?"

"That's what Russia does, that's what China does. We're supposed to be better than that, Scott!" shouted Rogin.

As Jennings tried to repeat that Trump is only doing what's in the country's best interest, Phillip tried to interject again.

"This doesn't have to be a hostile conversation," insisted Jennings, to which Philip pressed: "I'm not disputing the nature of the problem. The question is what is the solution? The solution that Trump has put on the table is one that does not make any sense and also abandons American principles!"

Watch the full exchange below or at this link.