President-elect Donald Trump’s interest in buying Greenland is being embraced by Republican lawmakers and inching closer to receiving a congressional stamp of approval.
Trump has repeatedly insisted that the United States should acquire the island for purposes of “national security and freedom,” and last week refused to rule out military action to accomplish that goal.
But as the incoming president prepares to reemerge in the White House in a matter of days with a Republican-controlled Congress waiting in the wings, his plans to take over Greenland are building support – at least among GOP allies.
As of Monday morning, 10 congressional Republicans had signed on as co-sponsors of a bill authorizing Trump to engage in discussions for the purchase of Greenland, Reuters reported.
The bill – titled “Make Greenland Great Again Act” – is being spearheaded by far-right Tennessee Reps. Andy Ogles and Diana Harshbarger, who have circulated a copy around Capitol Hill for co-sponsors.
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If passed, it would allow Trump to enter into negotiations with Denmark on Jan. 20, after he is sworn into office.
"Congress hereby authorizes the President, beginning at 12:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 20, 2025, to seek to enter into negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark to secure the acquisition of Greenland by the United States," according to a draft of the bill, as reported by Reuters.
"Not later than 5 calendar days after reaching an agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark relating to the acquisition of Greenland by the United States, the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees the agreement, including all related materials and annexes," it added.
Officials in both Greenland and Denmark have forcefully pushed back on Trump’s insistence involving the U.S. acquiring the island, with Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede saying last month it was “not for sale and will never be for sale.”
