‘It would be the end of NATO’: Chris Murphy warns against Greenland annexation
An attempt to “annex” Greenland would be the functional end of NATO. And final evidence that Trump is permanently distracted by things that have nothing to do with the American people - like Venezuela, his new White House ball room, and now Greenland. pic.twitter.com/0bm4IHLfPr
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 11, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Chris Murphy has warned that if the United States takes over Greenland, it could lead to the end of the NATO alliance.
Democratic lawmakers are speaking out after the White House said it might use the military to seize the territory from Denmark.
Chris Murphy warn taking Greenland would destroy NATO alliance
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, appearing on NBC News’s 'Meet the Press' on Sunday, January 11, said that taking Greenland would destroy the defensive partnership between North America and Europe.
During the interview, the Democrat explained that because Greenland belongs to Denmark, a fellow NATO member, an American takeover would force other allies to choose sides.
Murphy asked, “NATO would have an obligation to defend Greenland, and so query whether we would be at war with Europe, with England, with France.”
Murphy argued that the administration's obsession with foreign land is a distraction from the needs of regular Americans, suggesting that the president's priorities are completely disconnected from the struggles of the public.
Murphy stated, “Let’s also talk about what’s at stake here. The president is spending every single day thinking about invading Greenland, managing the Venezuelan economy, building a ballroom. He is not thinking about the American people at all.”
It is to be noted that the alliance’s rules, specifically Article 5, require members to defend each other from any attack, even if it comes from within the group.
Greenland prime minister calls US takeover plans disrespectful
Tensions grew after the White House called the island a “national security priority,” and press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that “utilizing the US Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal.”
President Trump continues to talk about taking military action against Greenland. He recently said something to the effect of doing this the “hard way.” If the “hard way” means attacking and taking Greenland by force, this President is dumber and more incompetent than most of us…
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) January 11, 2026
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called the plan “so disrespectful,” while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a blunt warning.
She told the broadcaster DR that “if the United States attacks another NATO country, everything stops.”
Democratic Senators blast White House plan for Greenland
Other Democratic lawmakers also agree that the plan is a dangerous mistake
Senator Mark Warner said that taking action against Greenland “would completely destroy NATO.” Kelly went further on social media, calling the move the “biggest geopolitical blunder” in history and saying, “this president is dumber and more incompetent than most of us thought.”
Despite these warnings, President Donald Trump recently said, “We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not,” later admitting to The New York Times that he might have to choose between keeping the NATO alliance or taking the territory.
