Trump Orders Military to Draft Greenland Invasion Plan, Faces Strong Backlash

Mangalore Today News Network

Washington, Jan. 10, 2026: U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly directed senior special forces commanders to develop contingency plans for a possible military invasion of Greenland, a move that is drawing sharp resistance from top U.S. military officials and strong diplomatic pushback from Denmark and Greenland.

According to reports citing anonymous sources, Trump instructed the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to outline plans for a potential takeover of the Arctic territory, which is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The plan has alarmed defence officials, who warn it could violate international law and would not secure necessary approval from the U.S. Congress. Senior military leaders have reportedly attempted to deflect the President from pursuing the idea.

 

The development follows Trump’s increasingly assertive rhetoric on Greenland, where he recently warned that the United States must act “whether they like it or not” to prevent Russia or China from gaining influence on the resource-rich island. Trump has framed control of Greenland as a matter of U.S. national security. 

Denmark has responded forcefully. Copenhagen reaffirmed that Greenland is not for sale and reiterated its sovereignty, with Danish defence authorities reportedly reinstating standing orders for troops to defend the territory against any invasion attempt. Reports indicate orders to “shoot first and ask questions later” would apply if a foreign force — including U.S. forces — were to attempt an invasion. 

Greenland’s political leaders have also rejected Trump’s pressure, issuing a joint statement asserting that they do not want to be part of the United States or Denmark, but remain Greenlanders. They stressed that decisions about the island’s future should be made by its own people, without foreign interference. 

The escalating dispute has reverberated among NATO allies, with Copenhagen warning that any military action by Washington against a NATO partner could undermine the alliance and post-World War II security frameworks. 

As tensions rise, diplomatic engagements and discussions among U.S., Danish and Greenlandic officials are expected to continue, even as all sides publicly stress the importance of upholding international law and sovereign rights