WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Vice President JD Vance says getting Greenland is in the U.S. interest but he argues it's also in the interest of the people of Greenland.
He says Denmark has let them down.
“Denmark hasn't done a good job at keeping Greenland safe,” said Vance.
Vance spoke from t
he top of the world, Pituffik Space Base in Greenland.
President Donald Trump says he wants the U.S. to take it over for critical minerals and international security.
“We have to have Greenland. It's not a question of, do you think we can do without it. We can't,” said Trump.
Melting ice in the Arctic opened new waterways near Greenland and new opportunities for adversaries the president says.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia will increase its military capability in that area and China has expressed interest in Arctic oil.
“We're not talking about peace for the United States, we're talking about world peace,” said Trump.
Greenland is self-governed but considered a territory of Denmark.
The Danish prime minister says Greenland will not join the U.S.
She said in an Instagram post, "You have stood up for who you are…and you have shown what you stand for."
Rhode Island Representative Seth Magaziner, a Democrat, says President Trump shouldn't be able to invade Greenland without a vote from Congress.
“The American people want Donald Trump and JD Vance to focus on lowering costs and keeping America safe, not trying to take over other countries,” said Magaziner.
The Vance’s only visited the military base. ...read more read less
