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U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered special forces commanders to draw up plans for a possible invasion of Greenland, according to reports by the U.K.-based Daily Mail and Anadolu Agency, triggering concern among European allies and resistance within the U.S. military establishment.
According to reports, Trump has instructed the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to prepare an invasion plan; however, senior military officials, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are opposing the move.
They argue that such an operation would be illegal and would lack congressional authorization.
Sources cited by the Daily Mail said military leaders are attempting to divert the president toward less controversial actions, such as intercepting Russian “ghost ships” used to evade sanctions or considering strikes against Iran.
One diplomatic source described the internal dynamic as senior generals trying to deflect an idea they see as unlawful and strategically reckless.
The reports note that policy “hawks” close to Trump, led by political adviser Stephen Miller, have been emboldened following the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
These figures are said to be pushing for swift action on Greenland before Russia or China increases its presence.
European diplomats have reportedly war-gamed scenarios involving U.S. force or political coercion to sever Greenland’s ties with Denmark.
One diplomatic cable described a “worst-case scenario” in which such an action could lead to “the destruction of NATO from the inside.”
The cable suggested that while Congress would not allow Trump to formally withdraw from NATO, occupying Greenland could prompt European allies to abandon the alliance themselves.
A proposed “compromise scenario” outlined Denmark granting the U.S. full military access to Greenland and denying access to Russia and China, placing existing U.S. access on a clearer legal footing.
European officials reportedly believe Trump may seek to escalate first, then shift toward a compromise ahead of the NATO summit scheduled for July 7, with concerns that the window before U.S. midterm elections is narrowing.
Trump has publicly reiterated his interest in Greenland, saying the U.S. would “do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not,” arguing that failure to act would allow Russia or China to take control of the strategically located, mineral-rich island.
“I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don’t do it the easy way, we will do it the hard way,” Trump said at a White House event, where he was joined by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Greenland’s political party leaders responded by saying they do not want to be Americans or Danes, but Greenlanders.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any U.S. attempt to seize Greenland would mark the end of NATO, stating that if the U.S. attacked another NATO country, “everything would stop.”
Danish and Greenlandic officials met with U.S. counterparts in Washington this week and are expected to hold further talks next week, as concerns grow over Washington’s consideration of military and coercive options regarding the autonomous Danish territory.
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