WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he will appoint Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry to serve as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland. Trump said the United States needs to take over Greenland, Denmark’s vast semi-autonomous territory.
“Jeff understands how important Greenland is to our national security and will vigorously advance our nation’s interests and promote the safety, security and survival of our allies and the world,” Trump said in announcing the appointment.
Trump repeatedly called for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland in the early months of his return to the White House and did not rule out using military force to control the mineral-rich and strategically located Arctic island.
The issue has faded from the headlines in recent months, but in August Danish officials summoned the U.S. ambassador amid reports that at least three people with ties to Trump were conducting covert influence operations in Greenland.
Earlier this year, Vice President Vance visited a remote U.S. military base on the island and accused Denmark of underinvesting there.
Trump said Greenland was vital to U.S. security and did not rule out seizing the island through military force, even though Denmark is a U.S. NATO ally
Landry will take office as governor in January 2024. The term ends in January 2028.
In a post on Sunday, Landry called the appointment “an honor to serve in this volunteer position to keep Greenland a part of the United States, and in no way will it affect my position as governor of Louisiana!”
U.S. NATO allies Denmark and Greenland have both said the island will not be sold and condemned reports of U.S. intelligence gathering there. The U.S. push for Greenland is also opposed by Russia and much of Europe.
The Danish embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Landry’s appointment.
Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Agency said in a report earlier this month that the United States is using its economic power to “assert its will” and threaten friends and foes militarily.
The department said in its annual review that Washington has become more assertive under the Trump administration as China and Russia seek to reduce the influence of the West, especially the United States.
“As conflicts between Russia and the West intensify, the strategic importance of the Arctic is rising, and the United States’ growing security and strategic concerns about the Arctic will further accelerate these developments,” the report said.
