A key figure from Donald Trump's senior advisors has ramped up the pressure on the Danish government by challenging Denmark's sovereign claim to the vast Arctic island.
Force Deemed Unnecessary
The president’s deputy chief of staff, also claimed the use of armed force would not be required to assume control of the northern landmass because “nobody is going to fight the United States in combat over the future of Greenland”.
“What do you mean military action against Greenland? Its population numbers just 30,000 inhabitants people,” Miller inaccurately claimed, despite the actual figure being closer to 57,000.
Miller further proposed that Copenhagen lacks a legitimate right to the region, which is a one-time colonial possession and continues as a constituent country of the Danish kingdom.
Escalating Diplomatic Strains
These remarks come amid growing tensions between the US and Denmark after the US president’s renewed calls to annex Greenland.
The Danish foreign policy committee has called an emergency session to discuss the bilateral ties with the United States.
Speaking to media, Miller told CNN that control over Greenland could be gained without armed conflict due to its limited number of residents.
Questioning Danish Sovereignty
“The core issue is what right does Denmark have to assert control over Greenland? What legal foundation of their ownership claim?” Miller questioned.
He added: “As the leading power within the power of NATO. For the US to protect Arctic interests to safeguard the alliance, it is logical that Greenland should be part of the US.”
There was, he said “no need to even think or talk about” a military operation in Greenland, adding: “Nobody is going to fight the US militarily.”
International Reactions
These statements followed Trump remarked recently, fresh from other foreign policy actions, that the US desired the territory “very badly”.
Denmark's leader, Mette Frederiksen, reacted by saying that an attack by the US a NATO ally would mean the collapse of the military alliance and “the postwar security order”.
The island's own leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, issued a strong statement, calling on the US president to give up his “notions of acquisition” and labeled American rhetoric of being “wholly inappropriate”.
Historical Context and Current Stance
The aide's assertions came after his wife, podcaster Katie Miller, posted a digital image of Greenland draped in a US flag with the caption “SOON”.
When questioned on the online image, he responded by stating: “This has represented the official stance of the US government from the beginning of this administration... The president has been very clear about that.”
Greenland remained a colony until 1953, when it was integrated of the kingdom of Denmark. The US maintains a strategic installation there, important for its ballistic missile early warning system.
In recent years, there has been growing support for Greenlandic independence, particularly after disclosures about historical policies of Greenlandic people.
However, facing the prospect of Trump’s threat, Greenland in March formed a new coalition government in a demonstration of solidarity, with its agreement stating: “We are the rightful owners of Greenland.”
