Experts and lawmakers are urging Congress to take action against President Donald Trump‘s increasing fixation on acquiring Greenland. Since his first term, Trump has floated the idea of U.S. annexation of the autonomous territory, a notion that Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed as “absurd” in 2019. Following his return to office in 2022, Trump’s rhetoric has intensified, framing the acquisition as a matter of “strategic importance” for U.S. national security, even suggesting military force could be considered.
As concerns grow over Trump’s unilateral approach, which includes executive actions that bypass Congress, some experts and members of Congress are advocating for a reassertion of legislative power. Jason Furman, former chair of the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers, emphasized the importance of Congress reclaiming its authority under Article 1 of the Constitution to regulate trade and tariffs. He remarked, “The economy and our country more broadly would be well served if there were not this one dramatic exception to the general rule that fiscal policy, including tax rates, are set based on laws passed by 535 people, not the whims of one person.”
Concerns about Trump’s behavior were exacerbated by a letter he sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, in which he expressed frustration over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, suggesting his ambitions regarding Greenland were linked to that disappointment. Senator Ed Markey called for the invocation of the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, emphasizing the seriousness of the president’s recent messages.
The situation prompted a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers to visit Denmark and Greenland, aiming to reassure leaders there that not all members of Congress align with Trump’s aspirations. Among the delegation were Senators Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski, who have voiced their opposition to the administration’s rhetoric. Tillis stated, “The actual execution of anything that would involve a taking of a sovereign territory would be met with pretty substantial opposition in Congress.”
Some Republican lawmakers have expressed frustration over Trump’s approach. Representative Don Bacon criticized Trump’s comments about Greenland as “about the dumbest thing I’ve heard,” stressing the importance of diplomatic relations with allies. Bacon’s sentiments reflect a growing unease among some members of the party regarding Trump’s unilateral decision-making, particularly as Congress attempts to reassert its role in foreign policy.
While Trump seems to indicate that he does not require Congress’s approval for his ambitions, lawmakers are increasingly concerned about the implications of his actions. The administration’s recent decisions, such as authorizing the sale of advanced artificial intelligence chips to China, have also drawn bipartisan scrutiny. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast raised alarms about the potential risks associated with selling technology to Chinese military firms.
As the debate continues, Congress faces a critical juncture in determining how to respond to Trump’s Greenland ambitions and broader foreign policy maneuvers. With pressures mounting from within and outside the administration, the need for a clear legislative response has never been more apparent.
