🔗 Share this article Stephen Miller Intensifies Assertions to Take Over Greenland A key figure from Donald Trump's top aides has increased tensions on the Danish government by questioning Copenhagen’s claim to the vast Arctic island. Military Intervention Dismissed The president’s deputy chief of staff, stated emphatically military intervention would not be required to assume control of the northern landmass because “no nation would engage the United States militarily over the future of Greenland”. “The idea of military action against Greenland? Greenland has 30,000 inhabitants people,” he incorrectly stated, despite the actual figure being closer to 57,000. He also suggested that Denmark does not have a valid claim to the region, which is a one-time colonial possession and continues as a constituent country of the Kingdom of Denmark. Growing Tensions These remarks follow a period of growing tensions between the US and Denmark after the American leader's repeated interest to acquire Greenland. The Danish foreign policy committee has called an extraordinary meeting to discuss the kingdom’s relationship with the United States. Speaking to media, Miller told CNN that dominion of the island could be achieved without armed conflict due to its small population. Challenging Copenhagen's Rule “The real question is on what grounds does Denmark have to exercise sovereignty over Greenland? What is the basis of their ownership claim?” Miller questioned. Miller continued: “As the leading power within the dominant force in NATO. For the US to protect Arctic interests to safeguard the alliance, obviously Greenland should be part of the US.” There was, he said “no need to even think or talk about” a military operation in Greenland, adding: “Nobody is going to fight the US over this issue.” Global Responses His comments came after Trump remarked recently, fresh from events in Venezuela, that the US needed Greenland “urgently”. Denmark's leader, Mette Frederiksen, responded by warning that an attack by the US a fellow alliance member would mean the end of the military alliance and “post-Second World War security”. Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, also made a forceful rebuke, calling on the US president to give up his “fantasies about annexation” and accused the US of being “wholly inappropriate”. Historical Context and Current Stance Miller’s comments came after his wife, a conservative commentator, posted a map on social media of Greenland draped in a US flag with the caption “IN THE NEAR FUTURE”. Asked about the online image, he laughed and said: “This has represented the formal position of the US government from the beginning of this administration... Donald Trump has been explicit about that.” The territory remained a colony until 1953, when it became part of the Danish realm. The US has had a military base there, important for its ballistic missile early warning system. Recently, there has been growing support for self-rule, particularly after disclosures about Denmark’s treatment of the local population. However, facing the spectre of Trump’s threat, Greenland in March established a new coalition government in a demonstration of solidarity, with its founding document declaring: “Greenland belongs to us.”