Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon has plans for multiple “contingencies” in Greenland – including an invasion of the island.
Asked by Republican Rep. Mike Turner at a June 12 House Armed Services Committee hearing to confirm whether there are plans to invade Greenland, Hegseth said, “The Pentagon has plans for any number of contingencies.”
“It is not your testimony today that there are plans at the Pentagon for taking by force or invading Greenland, correct? Because I sure as hell hope that it is not your testimony,” Turner dug in.
“We look forward to working with Greenland to ensure that it is secured from any potential threats,” Hegseth said.
President Donald Trump has declined to rule out force in his pledge to “get Greenland,” although he has said it won’t be necessary. He has insisted that acquiring Greenland is necessary for national security, citing growing Chinese and Russian influence in the region. The island is also rich in critical minerals that the U.S. wants to challenge Chinese monopolies in some industries, USA TODAY has reported.
More: Greenland isn’t for sale. Despite Trump, it wants Americans to visit. Are they?
During a March visit to Pituffik Space Base, the U.S. base on Greenland, Vice President JD Vance accused Denmark of “failing” to protect the Arctic island while downplaying Trump’s threats to take it over by force.
Danish leaders have pushed back. “The U.S. shall not take over Greenland. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said after Vance’s visit.
In the latest snub to Denmark and other European allies, the Pentagon reportedly plans to move its oversight of the island from U.S. European Command to U.S. Northern Command.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hegseth says Pentagon has ‘contingency’ plan to invade Greenland
