Many times politicians ask if the US has invasion plans ready, and many times ministers will not deny it.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was asked several times in a congressional committee on Thursday whether the US has a plan for a possible invasion of Greenland and Panama.
Several times Hegseth does not give a direct answer.
– Is it the policy of the Department of Defense that we have to be ready to take Greenland and Panama by force if necessary?, asks Democrat Adam Smith, according to NBC News, which carries a video clip of the exchange.
The US’s desire for Greenlandic control
On December 23, 2024, Donald Trump stated that he believes the United States should have ownership of Greenland. Since then, the message has been repeated repeatedly by both himself and his staff.
On January 7, Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., landed in Nuuk, which brought the world’s attention to Greenland.
The same day, the incoming president said he would not rule out using economic or military coercion to gain control of Greenland – despite the fact that the US and Denmark are both members of NATO and despite the fact that the US has had a military presence in Greenland since World War II.
On March 13, President Trump was asked if he would annex Greenland. He replied: – I think it will happen.
On March 15, Nuumiut took to the streets in a demonstration against the United States’ desire to take over Greenland. Possibly the largest demonstration in the country’s history.
After much debate and warnings of demonstrations, the wife of US Vice President J.D. Vance canceled a planned visit to Sisimiut. Instead, the couple landed at Pituffik Space Base on March 28, where a press conference was held.
On April 10, The New York Times revealed that the American strategy was now to persuade the Greenlanders to become part of the United States – including through soft power and private investment.
On May 6, the Wall Street Journal revealed that US President Donald Trump has ordered the heads of intelligence agencies such as the CIA, NSA and DIA to increase intelligence gathering in Greenland. Among other things, the order called for a list of Greenlanders who could help the US achieve its goals. This led several experts and countries to suspect US espionage in Greenland.
Hegseth first starts talking about Chinese influence before the Democrat presses for an answer.
– Our job in the Ministry of Defense is to have plans, Hegseth replies.
The Democrat then asks if there are plans “for that”.
– Our job in the Ministry of Defense is to have plans for every eventuality, says Hegseth.
Plan for every eventuality
Smith asks whether that “contingency” also involves “basically invading Denmark”.
The Democrat does not have time to finish the question before Hegseth replies that the Ministry of Defense is prepared for all situations, after which Adam Smith again tries to get the Minister of Defense to answer the question clearly.
– To make it very clear – you have, you have plans to take over Panama and Greenland by force if necessary, says Smith.
To this the US Secretary of Defense responds:
– I think the American people would want the Pentagon (Department of Defense, ed.) to have plans for every eventuality, says Hegseth.
Working with Greenland
Later, Republican Congressman Mike Turner returns to the statements made by Hegseth, who is Turner’s party colleague.
– I just want to help you because people are trying to distort the meaning of your words. You are not confirming in your testimony today that there are plans in the Pentagon to invade or take Greenland by force, correct? That is not your testimony today?, asks Mike Turner.
To this Hegseth responds:
– What is my testimony is that the Pentagon has plans for many different eventualities.
Again, Mike Turner asks about the existence of such plans:
– It is not your testimony today that there are plans in the Pentagon to take or invade Greenland by force, correct? Because I certainly hope that is not your testimony.
The US Secretary of Defense then says:
– We look forward to working with Greenland to ensure that it is secured against all potential threats.
/ritzau/