President-elect Donald Trump has reignited his push to bring Greenland under U.S. control, emphasizing its strategic value in the Arctic. Former National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien outlined the administration’s stance during a Sunday interview, calling on Denmark to either defend the territory or sell it to the U.S.

“Greenland is critical to the Arctic, which is becoming a major battleground as climate changes open new pathways,” O’Brien said. He highlighted the growing presence of Russia and China in the region, which he described as a threat to Western interests.

Denmark increases defense budget for its island of Greenland after Trump expresses interest in purchasing it

"Now we are planning a stronger presence."

source @BBCBreaking pic.twitter.com/T79Jheoh5h

— dustin mills (@dustinemills24) December 24, 2024

Trump’s proposal offers Denmark three choices: bolster its military presence in Greenland, pay the U.S. to defend it, or allow the U.S. to purchase the world’s largest island. “We’re not going to defend it for free while they get rich off Greenland’s untapped resources,” O’Brien said.

It's really not that strange that Trump tried to buy Greenland from Denmark in 2019. It was the fourth serious offer. (Seward tried in 1867, others in 1910 and 1946). Also the US bought the Danish Virgin Islands in the Caribbean in 1917 for $25m.

Retweet to get this deal done! pic.twitter.com/hvoE53RXB8

— Vandie (@VanDiemen_) December 21, 2024

I recently had the opportunity to tell a congressman (real btw) we need to follow through on Trump's plan to buy Greenland and begin rare-earth metal excavation…

To my pleasant surprise, he did not treat it as a joke and informed me this has been seriously considered https://t.co/EiMUt0XBin

— Lomez (@L0m3z) November 7, 2024

The former adviser also underscored the island’s potential as a key economic and military asset. Greenland’s natural resources, including minerals and oil, remain largely underdeveloped, and its location provides a crucial foothold in the Arctic.

🚨 NOW: Rolling power outages have been occurring in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, for TEN HOURS now

20,000 people live in Nuuk, and it’s current -17°F

President Trump would never allow this to happen to you, Greenland!

Time to join us.
pic.twitter.com/1zZeWgvyav

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) December 29, 2024

This is why purchasing Greenland would a monumental investment for the United States.

By 2040, shipping firms expect to open new polar and northern sea routes for global trade and this could be controlled by the United States.

President Trump is right about Greenland. pic.twitter.com/areUZlMHEA

— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) December 25, 2024

O’Brien argued that Greenland’s native population shares cultural ties with Alaskans, making it a natural fit for integration into the U.S. “If Denmark doesn’t want to defend it, we’ll make it part of Alaska,” he said.

Greenland's response to Trump's offer to buy their country. pic.twitter.com/EJs7BnD9jd

— Steve (@oldguy_steve) December 28, 2024

The Kingdom of Denmark has yet to respond publicly to Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland, which has raised questions about Arctic sovereignty and global power dynamics.