West Palm Beach, Florida. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he is appointing Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as the United States’ special envoy to Greenland, reviving a controversial foreign policy push that has strained relations with Denmark and raised concerns among U.S. allies. Trump said Landry would advance American national security interests in the Arctic, a region the president has repeatedly argued is strategically essential due to its mineral resources and military positioning.
In a statement, Trump said Landry “understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security” and will help protect the interests of the U.S. and its allies. Trump has previously refused to rule out military force to bring Greenland under U.S. control, despite the island’s status as a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO ally.
Landry, who took office as Louisiana governor in January 2024, called the appointment an honor and emphasized that the role is voluntary and does not affect his gubernatorial duties. His term as governor runs through January 2028. Vice President JD Vance earlier this year visited a U.S. military base in Greenland, accusing Denmark of underinvesting in the territory’s defense.
The appointment follows renewed diplomatic friction after reports that individuals linked to Trump engaged in covert influence efforts in Greenland, prompting Danish officials to summon the U.S. ambassador. Danish and Greenlandic leaders have repeatedly stated the island is not for sale, while European governments and Russia have criticized Washington’s increasingly assertive Arctic posture. Danish intelligence officials recently warned that U.S. pressure, combined with rising competition from China and Russia, is accelerating geopolitical tensions in the Arctic region.
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