Trump Aide's Controversial Remarks on Greenland: No Fight Expected

Thu Jan 08 2026 15:48:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a recent CNN interview, Trump aide Stephen Miller suggested that the U.S. might pursue claims over Greenland without facing opposition, raising concerns among European allies about national sovereignty.

Stephen Miller, a prominent aide to former President Donald Trump, recently stated that no other nation would contest the U.S.'s interest in Greenland. His comments underscore a growing tension between U.S. assertions and Denmark's governance of the semi-autonomous territory. Danish officials and European allies firmly reiterated that Greenland belongs to its people, and only they can determine their political future. The remarks reflect ongoing geopolitical strategies surrounding Arctic interests and NATO alliances.

One of Donald Trump's most influential aides has stated that Greenland should become part of the U.S. for the sake of protecting NATO and the Arctic. In an interview with CNN, Stephen Miller emphasized that no one would oppose U.S. claims to the semi-autonomous region, which is governed by Denmark.

Trump reiterated his belief that the U.S. 'needs' Greenland, a view that has elicited strong reactions from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. She warned that any U.S. intervention could jeopardize NATO's unity. In response to Miller’s comments, six European allies issued a joint statement affirming Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland.

The leaders of the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain stated, 'Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations.' They underscored the importance of self-determination in any discussions relating to Greenland's future.

During the interview, Miller questioned Denmark’s claim over Greenland, saying, 'By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is their basis of claiming Greenland as a colony of Denmark?' He further argued that for the U.S. to fulfill its role within NATO and secure Arctic interests, Greenland should rightfully belong to the U.S.

The discussions around Greenland have gained momentum against the backdrop of U.S. military interventions in Venezuela, with Trump describing past actions as a return to a policy of American dominance in the hemisphere. Concerns have been raised that the U.S. might resort to force in its ambitions for Greenland, particularly given its strategic position and wealth of natural resources.

While Greenland has enjoyed substantial political autonomy since 1979, defense and foreign policy rest under Denmark's jurisdiction. Notably, most Greenlanders favor independence from Denmark but oppose potential annexation by the U.S.