Trump Taps Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry To Serve As U.S. Special Envoy To Greenland | EUROtoday

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday introduced he’s appointing Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry to function the U.S. particular envoy to Greenland, the huge, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark that Trump has mentioned the U.S. must take over.

“Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World,” Trump mentioned in saying the appointment.

Trump throughout his presidential transition and within the early months of his return to the White House repeatedly referred to as for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, and has not dominated out army power to take management of the mineral-rich, strategically positioned Arctic island.

The challenge had drifted out of the headlines in latest months, however in August, Danish officers summoned the U.S. ambassador following a report that at the least three folks with connections to Trump had carried out covert affect operations in Greenland.

Earlier this yr, Vice President JD Vance visited a distant U.S. army base on the island and accused Denmark of underinvesting there.

Trump has mentioned that Greenland is essential for U.S. safety and hasn’t dominated out taking the island by army power, despite the fact that Denmark is a NATO ally of the U.S.

Landry took workplace as governor in January 2024. His time period ends in January 2028.

“It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.,” Landry wrote in a posting on X during which he thanked Trump for the appointment. He added, “This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!”

Denmark, a NATO ally of the U.S., and Greenland have mentioned the island isn’t on the market and condemned stories of the U.S. gathering intelligence there. The U.S. push for Greenland can also be opposed by Russia and far of Europe.

The Embassy of Denmark in Washington didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark about Landry’s appointment.

The Danish Defense Intelligence Service mentioned in a report earlier this month that the United States is utilizing its financial energy to “assert its will” and threaten army power in opposition to buddy and foe alike.

The service, in its annual evaluation, mentioned Washington’s higher assertiveness below the Trump administration additionally comes as China and Russia search to decrease Western, particularly American, affect.

“The strategic importance of the Arctic is rising as the conflict between Russia and the West intensifies, and the growing security and strategic focus on the Arctic by the United States will further accelerate these developments,” the report mentioned.