Speaker Mike Johnson claims White House pursuing 'diplomatic channels' on Greenland
WASHINGTON, DC: House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Wednesday, January 7, that the White House is pursuing diplomatic channels rather than military force in its efforts to acquire Greenland, as concerns mount at home and abroad over President Donald Trump’s renewed focus on the Danish territory.
“I don’t think anybody’s talking about using military force in Greenland,” Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, told reporters when asked whether he had raised objections directly with Trump. “They’re looking at diplomatic channels.”
White House leaves military option on the table
Johnson’s comments appeared aimed at tamping down controversy sparked by the White House a day earlier.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s team was discussing “a range of options” to acquire Greenland, adding that “utilizing the US military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal.”
Pressed on Leavitt’s remarks, Johnson played them down. “The US always has military options for everything,” he said. “I think it’s a general statement. I think with Greenland, it’s very clear that we are working on diplomatic channels.”
Denmark and Greenland seek urgent talks with Marco Rubio
Even as Johnson sought to reassure allies, officials in Denmark and Greenland requested an urgent meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, days after Trump seemingly intensified his rhetoric following the ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
The request came from Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland’s foreign affairs minister Vivian Motzfeldt.
The officials said previous requests for talks had been declined.
Lawmakers from both parties pushback
Lawmakers from both parties have also moved to distance themselves from any suggestion of military action.
Sen Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Sen Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate NATO Observer Group, urged the administration to “respect the sovereignty and the territorial integrity” of Denmark.
They emphasized Denmark’s role as a key US ally, noting its support after the September 11, 2001, attacks and its agreement to boost defense spending, a longtime Trump demand.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) dismissed the idea of deploying troops to seize Greenland. “I think that’s probably getting the cart ahead of the horse,” Thune said on Tuesday. “I don’t see military action being an option there.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said that Democrats would act swiftly to block any unauthorized use of force.
“Everything the president says at this point we have to take seriously,” Jeffries told NewsNation, accusing Trump of being “uncommitted to the rule of law” and the Constitution.
“We are going to move aggressively and legislatively to make clear that no military aggression should be taken against Venezuela or any other country without explicit congressional approval,” he added.