Trump announces he’s appointing Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry to serve as US special envoy to Greenland
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he is nominating Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry to serve as special U.S. envoy to Greenland, the vast semi-autonomous territory of Denmark that Trump has said the United States should take control of.
“Jeff understands how critical Greenland is to our national security and will strongly advance our country’s interests in the safety, security and survival of our allies, and indeed the world,” Trump said in announcing his nomination.
Trump, during his presidential transition and in the first months of his return to the White House, has repeatedly called for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, and has not ruled out the use of military force to take control of the strategically located, mineral-rich Arctic island.
The issue had been out of the headlines in recent months, but in August Danish officials summoned the US ambassador following reports that at least three people with ties to Trump had conducted covert influence operations in Greenland.
Earlier this year, Vice President JD Vance visited a remote US military base on the island and accused Denmark of underinvesting there.
Trump has said Greenland is crucial to U.S. security and has not ruled out taking the island by military force, even though Denmark is a U.S. NATO ally.
Landry took office as governor in January 2024. His term ends in January 2028.
“It is an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland part of the United States,” Landry wrote in a post on X in which he thanked Trump for his nomination. He added: “This in no way affects my position as governor of Louisiana!”
Denmark, the United States’ NATO ally, and Greenland said the island was not for sale and condemned reports that the United States was gathering intelligence there. Russia and much of Europe also oppose the US push into Greenland.
The Danish Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Landry’s appointment.
Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Service said in a report released earlier this month that the United States was using its economic power to “assert its will” and threaten military force against friends and foes alike.
The service, in its annual assessment, said Washington’s greater assertiveness under the Trump administration also comes as China and Russia seek to diminish Western, particularly American, influence.
“The strategic importance of the Arctic is increasing as conflict between Russia and the West intensifies, and the United States’ growing security and strategic focus on the Arctic will further accelerate these developments,” the report said.
