Trump’s Greenland push sparks rare Republican backlash in Congress

United States President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland has triggered growing resistance from Republicans in Congress, with lawmakers questioning the legal basis and warning against further US military involvement overseas.

The backlash comes as Trump continues to press ahead with foreign policy moves that rely on unilateral military, economic, and diplomatic pressure, including actions tied to Greenland, Venezuela, and Iran. 

While Republicans have largely supported Trump since his return to the White House, more lawmakers are now siding with Democrats and Nato allies, arguing that a takeover of Greenland would violate US and international law.

READ ALSO: Trump faces pushback in Davos over Greenland plan

Greenland is a self-governed territory under Denmark, a Nato ally of the US. Trump has argued the US needs control of the island to counter China and Russia’s growing presence in the Arctic and has vowed to take it “one way or another”.

In recent days, several Republican leaders said there is little support within the party for buying Greenland or using military force to seize it. 

Some GOP lawmakers have also joined Democrats in opposing Trump’s proposal to impose tariffs on countries that refuse to support his bid for the territory.

The tariffs would be “bad for America, bad for American businesses, and bad for America’s allies,” Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina wrote on social media. He added that the plan would benefit US rivals. “It’s great for Putin, Xi and other adversaries who want to see Nato divided.”

Other Republicans warned that the move could damage the Nato alliance, especially at a time of strained relations between the US and Europe.

“Respect for the sovereignty of the people of Greenland should be non-negotiable,” Senator Lisa Murkowski, co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Trump dismissed concerns that the Greenland issue was weakening Nato. When asked by the BBC whether he was prepared to see the alliance collapse over the matter, he repeated his argument that Greenland is vital to global security.

“We need [Greenland] for national security and even world security,” he said.

Despite Trump’s stance, opposition on Capitol Hill is growing. Congress could block funding needed to buy Greenland, experts say, since any purchase would require approval from lawmakers. Both Denmark and Greenland have said the territory is not for sale.

“If Trump wants to buy Greenland it would require an act of Congress to provide the funds to do so,” said Daniel Schuman, executive director of the American Governance Institute. He added that existing funds could not easily be redirected for that purpose.

Schuman noted that the White House might try to claim new powers to bypass congressional resistance.

Some lawmakers are backing measures that would prevent any US military action in Greenland without congressional approval, though it is unclear whether those proposals have enough Republican support to pass.

READ ALSO: PHOTO: Trump shares messages from Macron questioning Greenland move

Earlier this month, five Senate Republicans joined Democrats to advance a bill aimed at blocking further US military action in Venezuela, following an attack in December that removed former President Nicolás Maduro. 

Although the measure failed, it reflected wider concern over Trump’s use of military force after campaigning in 2024 on reducing US involvement abroad.

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers also visited Denmark last week in a symbolic show of support for Greenland.

The Senate could also block any treaty between the US and Denmark related to Greenland. Treaties require a two-thirds majority for approval, which Republicans currently lack. 

The US already has a 1951 agreement with Denmark allowing it to expand its military presence on the island.

Murkowski and other Republicans argue that existing arrangements are sufficient and that a takeover is unnecessary.

Some senior Republicans have signalled they are willing to break with Trump. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the former Senate majority leader, said a US takeover of Greenland would “shatter the trust of allies”.

Trump could attempt a deal short of a formal treaty that avoids Senate approval, but legal experts question whether such an agreement would hold.

“Plenty of international agreements are concluded in forms other than treaties,” said Josh Chafetz, a professor at Georgetown Law, adding that “I’m sceptical that something of this magnitude could be concluded as a pure executive agreement.”

When asked how far he was willing to go to secure Greenland, Trump declined to give details.

“I think something is going to happen that’s going to be very good for everybody,” Trump said.

(Sky News)