Tillis says seizing Greenland is 'insane'

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 01.22.26

Greenland belongs to Denmark, our NATO ally. Donald Trump threatened to “take Greenland, whether they like it or not, because, if we don’t, Russia or China will.”

Attacking Greenland would trigger NATO’s Article 5 and require its 31 other members to defend Greenland against us. Article 5 has been invoked just once — by the U.S. after 9/11. Denmark’s soldiers fought and died for us. In fact, Denmark suffered the highest per capita losses of any NATO ally. Trump repaid Denmark’s loyalty with betrayal — and Americans are ashamed. A Quinnipiac poll shows that 86% oppose using force to seize Greenland.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), the Republican leader of the Senate NATO Observer Group, called NATO “critically important.” He warned that “shaking that alliance sends a signal to Putin that he’s winning.” Tillis said, “our ability to project power to stand against Putin, to stand off China and Iran, all rests on this exquisite capability that we have under NATO.” Tillis added, “Any suggestion that our nation would subject a fellow NATO ally to coercion or external pressure undermines the very principles of self-determination that our Alliance exists to defend.”

Trump said, “it may be a choice” between NATO and Greenland. But no choice is necessary. We don’t need to “own” Greenland — we’ve had bases there for 83 years. All NATO members are obligated to defend it if Russia or China attacks. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a retired Air Force brigadier general, said, “This is really dumb. There is no upside to demeaning our friends. But it is causing wounds that will take time to heal.”

NATO helped us win the Cold War. It’s an irreplaceable defense against aggression. China and Russia would like nothing more than NATO’s destruction. Trump is making them stronger and America less safe while gaining nothing we couldn’t have simply by asking.

Tillis called Trump’s idea of seizing Greenland “insane,” adding, “I’m sick of stupid.”

Eileen Farrell

Sunset Beach