US President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered senior military commanders to draw up plans for a possible invasion of Greenland, according to a Daily Mail report citing defence sources.
The directive, which would task the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) with developing a strategy for seizing the Arctic island, has met resistance from top U.S. military leadership. Senior officials, including members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, argue that such an operation would be unlawful and lack necessary congressional approval.
The reported planning comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and follows a high-profile U.S. military operation in Venezuela earlier this month. Advisers described as “policy hawks” around Trump are said to be eager to move quickly to assert control over Greenland before rivals such as Russia or China could increase their influence in the region, according to the report.
Trump has publicly voiced strong interest in Greenland’s strategic value, warning that the United States must act to prevent “Russia or China” from taking over the territory and indicating that he would pursue a deal “the easy way” or “the hard way.”
Greenland’s political leaders have firmly rejected the notion of becoming part of the United States or Denmark, insisting that decisions about the island’s future must be made by Greenlanders themselves. In a joint statement, they emphasised their desire for autonomy and self-determination, rejecting foreign interference.
The idea of a U.S. military invasion has drawn international concern, with European capitals warning that such actions could strain or even jeopardise NATO unity. Denmark also maintains that Greenland’s future should remain under the control of its people and the Danish realm.
At present, there is no official confirmation from the White House or the Pentagon that formal invasion plans have been approved, and the story remains subject to ongoing reporting and verification.
