Republican lawmakers are vehemently opposing President Trump's threats to acquire Greenland, fearing it could dismantle NATO, damage international relations, and destabilize global order, as they take legislative and diplomatic steps to counter his aggressive foreign policy.
President Donald Trump's repeated threats to take possession of Greenland have ignited a fierce backlash from Republican lawmakers, marking one of their most strident oppositions to his administration's actions. These Republicans have delivered floor speeches emphasizing NATO's importance, introduced bills to prevent a U.S. attack on Denmark, and traveled to Copenhagen to meet with Danish counterparts. Their concerns stem from fears that Trump's 'go-it-alone' foreign policy could end the decades-old NATO alliance and shatter international trust. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) organized a bipartisan trip to Denmark to 'bring the temperature down,' joined by Republican Senators Thom Tillis (NC) and Lisa Murkowski (AK). Despite these efforts, Trump continues to insist on acquiring the Arctic island, even threatening a 10% import tax on goods from eight European nations due to their opposition. Key Republicans, while largely avoiding direct rebukes, have made it clear that a forceful takeover is 'out of the question.' Senator Tillis criticized Trump's tariff plans as 'bad for America's allies,' and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) stated there's 'certainly not an appetite' for such options. Former Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell warned that seizing Greenland would 'shatter the trust of allies' and tarnish Trump's legacy. Lawmakers are exploring options to prevent military action, including legislation to prohibit Department of Defense funds from being used to attack NATO territory without consent, and war powers resolutions. However, the administration's past reluctance to seek congressional approval for military action and Republican arguments against war powers resolutions when no 'boots on the ground' are present pose challenges. Some Republicans, particularly those retiring, have voiced stronger criticisms, with Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) even suggesting an invasion could lead to Trump's impeachment.
