US Intelligence Focus Shifts to Greenland and Denmark Amidst Trump’s Pursuit of the Island
A recent report from the Wall Street Journal has unveiled a significant development in US foreign policy, revealing that American intelligence agencies have been directed to increase surveillance efforts on Greenland and Denmark. This directive, impacting two nations considered long-standing allies of the United States, has sparked considerable debate and concern, particularly in light of President Donald Trump’s continued interest in acquiring Greenland.
According to the Wall Street Journal’s report, the order to intensify intelligence gathering operations in Greenland and Denmark originated from high-ranking officials operating under the authority of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The specific nature of the directive, referred to as a "collection emphasis message," instructs US intelligence agencies to utilize a range of surveillance tools, including reconnaissance satellites, wiretaps, and human intelligence assets, to gather information within Greenland and Denmark.
The report suggests that the primary objective of this heightened surveillance is to identify individuals within Greenland who might be sympathetic to President Trump’s ambition to bring the island under US control. Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has been the subject of repeated overtures from Trump, who has expressed a desire to explore the possibility of acquiring the island.
The rationale behind identifying potential supporters of Trump’s vision within Greenland appears to be rooted in a strategy of providing those individuals with support and amplifying their message, both domestically and internationally. The report draws a parallel to Cold War-era tactics, where the US government invested heavily in promoting anti-Soviet sentiment, sometimes engaging in activities such as fabricating writers to disseminate propaganda through newspapers.
The Wall Street Journal cites "people familiar with the matter" as the source of information regarding the classified nature of the new intelligence gathering instructions. In response to the newspaper’s request for comment, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, described in the article as an extremist who pretends to be an isolationist, focused on the classified nature of the order.
Gabbard issued a statement criticizing the Wall Street Journal, accusing the publication of aiding "deep state actors" seeking to undermine the President by "politicizing and leaking classified information." Gabbard further asserted that the newspaper’s actions were "breaking the law and undermining our nation’s security and democracy."
The report revisits President Trump’s initial fascination with Greenland, which emerged during his first term in office in 2019. At that time, reports surfaced indicating that Trump had expressed a desire to discuss the possibility of acquiring Greenland with Danish officials. The ensuing media coverage prompted a response from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who stated that she had no interest in entertaining such discussions. Trump reacted to Frederiksen’s rejection by canceling a scheduled meeting between the two leaders. He later posted an image on social media depicting a Trump Tower in Greenland, accompanied by the message, "I promise not to do this to Greenland!"
Following his victory in the 2024 presidential election, Trump’s interest in Greenland has apparently been rekindled. The report mentions that JD Vance traveled to Greenland in March to deliver a speech that was described as insulting to American allies, claiming that Denmark had not been an effective protector of the island. Trump has repeatedly suggested that the United States would be a better caretaker of Greenland. A recent New York Times report suggested that the White House might consider proposing an annual payment of $10,000 to every Greenlander as a form of universal basic income.
Trump has also reportedly released a propaganda video asserting that it is Greenland’s "destiny" to become part of the United States. Opinion polls, however, indicate that Greenlanders themselves are largely opposed to the idea of joining the U.S. According to a survey conducted by The Guardian, 85% of Greenlanders do not want to become part of the United States, with only 6% in favor and 9% undecided.
Despite the lack of support within Greenland for joining the U.S., Trump has expressed confidence that he can persuade the people of Greenland that it would be a beneficial arrangement for the island. The increased intelligence gathering efforts may signal the beginning of a new propaganda campaign.
During an interview on Meet the Press, Trump was asked whether he would rule out the use of force against Greenland.
"I don’t rule it out," Trump told NBC News. "I don’t say I’m going to do it, but I don’t rule out anything. No, not there. We need Greenland very badly. Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them, and all of that. But we need that for international security."
The report concludes that, even if Trump is unable to secure the consent of Greenlanders, he is likely to pursue some form of acquisition attempt before leaving office. Trump has been consistent in stating his intention to acquire Greenland.
"We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it," Trump said in March while speaking to Congress. "One way or the other, we’re going to get it."
