Trump's threat to take Greenland just became a lot more real.
For weeks, European leaders dismissed it as bluster.
And Randy Fine just dropped a bill that will have Denmark in full panic mode.
Randy Fine's Greenland 51st State Bill Gives Trump Congressional Authority For Military Action
U.S. Representative Randy Fine (R-FL) introduced legislation Monday that gives Trump congressional backing to acquire Greenland and potentially make it America's 51st state.
The bill authorizes Trump "to take such steps as may be necessary" to bring the Arctic territory under U.S. control.
"I think it is in the world's interest for the United States to exert sovereignty over Greenland," Fine told Fox News Digital.
Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly insisted the island isn't for sale.
But Fine's bill signals Congress is ready to act if Trump pulls the trigger.
"Congress would still have to choose to make it a state, but this would simply authorize the president to do what he's doing and say the Congress stands behind him," Fine explained.
The legislation comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares to meet with Danish officials next week to discuss Greenland's future.
Trump has made acquiring the mineral-rich Arctic island a top national security priority.
"We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark isn't going to be able to do it," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Fine's bill would fast-track Greenland toward statehood once acquired, though Congress would still need to vote on final admission.
The Florida Republican argued Denmark has failed Greenland's 56,000 residents.
"Their poverty rate is high. Denmark hasn't treated them well," Fine said.
"When war came to town, Denmark couldn't protect them. Guess who protected Greenland during World War II? We did."
Trump has pointed to Russia and China's increased Arctic presence as justification for taking control of Greenland.
The island sits between North America and Russia, making it critical for U.S. missile defense systems.
Greenland also contains vast deposits of rare earth minerals that America needs to compete with China.
Fine said voluntary acquisition is the preferred path forward, but the White House refuses to rule out military options.
"I think the best way to acquire Greenland is voluntarily," Fine stated.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed last week that Trump is considering "a range of options" including use of military force.
Denmark And NATO Scramble As Trump Refuses To Rule Out Military Force For Arctic Security
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any U.S. military action against Greenland would destroy NATO.
The Nordic countries issued a joint statement insisting "Greenland belongs to its people" and demanding the U.S. respect Denmark's sovereignty.
But Trump isn't backing down.
"We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not," Trump said Friday.
"Because if we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor."
European leaders are discovering Trump means business this time around.
The successful Delta Force operation that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro proved Trump will use military force to achieve his foreign policy objectives.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) took to the Senate floor Wednesday to criticize White House advisor Stephen Miller's comments about using the military to seize Greenland.
"You can say it may be the position of the president of the United States that Greenland should be a part of the United States but it is not the position of this government because we are a coequal branch," Tillis said.
But House Speaker Mike Johnson brushed aside concerns about military intervention during his weekly briefing.
Johnson said Greenland offers strategic advantages America needs for national defense and that it's "an America First priority" to pursue acquisition.
Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) said he hopes "we can work out a deal" while Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) argued discussion about using force has been "misconstrued."
The Trump administration has reportedly discussed paying Greenlanders between $10,000 and $100,000 per person to convince them to secede from Denmark and join the United States.
Denmark announced Tuesday it would spend $13.8 billion rearming Greenland "given the serious security situation we find ourselves in."
"I hope that the United States also recognizes that fact and is ready to cooperate on our common interest in Arctic security," Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.
Rubio told lawmakers during a classified Capitol Hill briefing that buying Greenland has always been Trump's preferred option.
The U.S. already maintains a permanent military presence at Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark.
The base supports missile warning, space surveillance, and satellite operations with nearly 650 military and civilian personnel.
Trump's previous attempts to purchase Greenland in 2019 were rebuffed by Denmark.
But Fine's legislation shows this time is different.
Congress is ready to give Trump the authority he needs to bring Greenland under U.S. control.
Denmark and its European allies can issue all the statements they want.
Trump has already demonstrated with Venezuela that he's willing to use America's overwhelming military superiority to achieve his strategic objectives.
And Greenland is next on his list.
Sources:
- Elizabeth Elkind, "Trump's Greenland push escalates as GOP lawmaker moves to make it America's 51st state," Fox News, January 12, 2026.
- "Rubio says he will meet with Denmark about Greenland next week," CNBC, January 7, 2026.
- "Denmark and Greenland seek talks with Rubio over U.S. interest in takeover of island," PBS News, January 7, 2026.
- "Security fears and dreams of minerals behind Trump's push to 'own' Greenland, experts say," NBC News, January 10, 2026.
- "Why does Trump want Greenland so much, and why is it so important strategically?" CNN, January 6, 2026.
