🔗 Share this article A Top Trump Aide Intensifies Assertions to Take Over Greenland One of Donald Trump’s senior advisors has increased tensions on the Danish government by challenging Copenhagen’s claim to the vast Arctic island. Military Intervention Dismissed Stephen Miller, stated emphatically the use of armed force would not be needed to assume control of the Arctic territory because “no nation would engage the United States militarily over the fate of Greenland”. “What do you mean military action against Greenland? Its population numbers just 30,000 inhabitants people,” he incorrectly stated, despite the actual figure being closer to 57,000. Miller further proposed that Denmark does not have a legitimate right to the territory, which is a former Danish colony and remains part of the Danish kingdom. Growing Tensions These remarks come amid growing tensions between the two NATO allies after the US president’s renewed calls to acquire Greenland. The Danish foreign policy committee has called an extraordinary meeting to discuss the kingdom’s relationship with the United States. In his interview, Miller told CNN that dominion of the island could be gained without armed conflict due to its small population. Challenging Copenhagen's Rule “The real question is on what grounds does Denmark have to assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their ownership claim?” Miller questioned. Miller continued: “As the leading power within the power of NATO. For the US to secure the Arctic region to defend NATO, obviously Greenland should be incorporated into the United States.” There was, he said “no requirement to even consider or discuss” a armed takeover in Greenland, reiterating: “No country would wage war against the US militarily.” Global Responses These statements followed Trump said over the weekend, following other foreign policy actions, that the US needed Greenland “very badly”. The Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, responded by warning that an attack by the US a fellow alliance member would mean the end of the defensive pact and “the postwar security order”. Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, also made a forceful rebuke, 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”. Asked about the social media post, he laughed and said: “It has been the official stance of the US government since the start of this presidency... The president has been explicit about that.” The territory remained a colony until 1953, when it became part of the Danish realm. The US maintains a strategic installation there, important for its national missile defense network. In recent years, there has been increasing sentiment for Greenlandic independence, especially following disclosures about historical policies of the local population. However, facing the spectre of acquisition talk, Greenland in March established a new coalition government in a demonstration of solidarity, with its founding document declaring: “We are the rightful owners of Greenland.”