Talk of a takeover of Greenland has been quiet for months, but amid aggressive actions in the Caribbean and stalled peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement Sunday night.
"I am pleased to announce that I am appointing the GREAT Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, as the United States Special Envoy to Greenland," Trump wrote Sunday night on Truth Social.
"Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country's Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.
"Congratulations Jeff!"
Landry, who took office as Louisiana governor in January 2024, thanked Trump on X, saying he will not have to step down as the state's govenor.
"Thank you @realDonaldTrump!" Landy wrote. "It's an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!"
Trump has said several times over the years that Greenland, a Danish territory that largely governs itself, should become part of the United States, citing security reasons and an interest in the island's mineral resources. Landry praised the idea earlier this year.
"President Donald J. Trump is absolutely right!" Landry wrote in a Jan. 9 post on X. "We need to ensure that Greenland joins the United States. GREAT for them, GREAT for us! Let's get it done!"
Greenland and Denmark have consistently rejected the notion.
Although the United States and Greenland this month pledged to show "mutual respect," Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt said that U.S. comments about Greenland had created uncertainty among locals and she stressed the need to speak openly with the United States.
"Our country and the United States have cooperated for 80 years based on common interests. There is a need to restore trust so we can continue good cooperation," local daily Sermitsiaq quoted Motzfeldt as saying on Dec. 8.
Trump during his presidential transition and in the early months of his return to the White House repeatedly called for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, and has not ruled out military force to take control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island.
The issue had drifted out of the headlines in recent months, but in August, Danish officials summoned the U.S. ambassador following a report that at least three people with connections to Trump had carried out covert influence operations in Greenland.
Earlier this year, Vice President JD Vance visited a remote U.S. military base on the island and accused Denmark of underinvesting there.
Trump has said that Greenland is crucial for U.S. security and has not ruled out taking the island by military force, even though Denmark is a NATO ally of the U.S.
Landry took office as governor in January 2024. His term ends in January 2028.
Denmark, a NATO ally of the U.S., and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there. The U.S. push for Greenland is also opposed by Russia and much of Europe.
The Danish Defense Intelligence Service said in a report earlier this month that the United States is using its economic power to "assert its will" and threaten military force against friend and foe alike.
The service, in its annual assessment, said Washington's greater assertiveness under the Trump administration also comes as China and Russia seek to diminish Western, especially American, influence.
"The strategic importance of the Arctic is rising as the conflict between Russia and the West intensifies, and the growing security and strategic focus on the Arctic by the United States will further accelerate these developments," the report said.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Eric Mack ✉
Eric Mack has been a writer and editor at Newsmax since 2016. He is a 1998 Syracuse University journalism graduate and a New York Press Association award-winning writer.
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