In a move that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic and military circles, former US President Donald Trump has reportedly instructed senior special forces commanders to draft contingency plans for a potential invasion of Greenland. This directive, first reported by the Daily Mail on Sunday, has allegedly met with fierce internal resistance from top military officials who question its legality and political feasibility.
Military Pushback and Internal Dissent
President Trump has asked the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to prepare an invasion blueprint for the Danish autonomous territory. However, the proposal is facing significant pushback from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Senior generals argue that such an operation would be unlawful and lacks the necessary congressional backing, according to the report.
A diplomatic source told the Mail, "The generals think Trump's Greenland plan is crazy and illegal. So they are trying to deflect him with other major military operations. They say it's like dealing with a five-year-old." In an attempt to divert the former President's focus, officials have reportedly suggested alternative actions, such as intercepting Russian 'ghost' ships used to evade sanctions or launching a strike on Iran.
Geopolitical Ambitions and Domestic Politics
The push for swift action on Greenland is reportedly being driven by hardline figures within Trump's inner circle, notably policy hawks led by adviser Stephen Miller. Emboldened by what they perceive as the successful operation to capture Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, this faction is advocating for pre-emptive control of Greenland to prevent Russia or China from expanding their influence in the strategically vital Arctic region.
Analysts cited by British diplomatic sources suggest Trump's interest may also be tied to domestic political calculations. With crucial mid-term elections approaching, there is concern the former President might seek a dramatic foreign policy move to shift attention away from economic issues and rally his base, amid fears of Republicans losing control of Congress.
A Direct Threat to NATO and European Unity
Such a unilateral action would place the United States on a direct collision course with European allies and could trigger a profound crisis within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), potentially bringing the alliance to a breaking point. Diplomatic officials have reportedly conducted war-gaming exercises for an "escalatory scenario," where Trump could use military force or sustained political pressure to weaken Greenland's ties with Denmark.
A classified cable outlines a "worst-case" outcome leading to "the destruction of NATO from the inside." Some European officials suspect this might be the real aim of the MAGA faction around Trump. Since Congress would likely block a formal NATO exit, occupying Greenland could force European nations to abandon the alliance themselves, providing a convenient exit strategy.
Greenland and Denmark Stand Firm
Meanwhile, political leaders in Greenland have issued a powerful, unified rebuke. The leaders of five parties in parliament declared in a joint statement, "We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlanders. The future of Greenland must be decided by Greenlanders."
This statement came hours after Trump reiterated his stance, warning that the US must act or risk ceding ground to Russia and China. "We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not," he said, adding he would prefer "the easy way" but was prepared to do it "the hard way." He justified the move by citing the presence of Russian and Chinese military assets near Greenland.
Denmark has responded with a stark warning. Danish troops in Greenland are under orders to "shoot first and ask questions later" if the territory comes under attack. Earlier, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed Trump's security rationale for needing Greenland as an "unacceptable pleasure." The stage is set for a major international confrontation over the future of the Arctic.
