Donald Trump has told his special forces commanders to draw up a plan for invading Greenland, but senior military figures are pushing back hard against the directive. The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) received orders to prepare for the operation, although the Joint Chiefs of Staff are resisting, as such action would be deemed illegal and lack congressional support.
Policy hawks around Trump, led by political adviser Stephen Miller, have been so emboldened by the successful operation to capture Venezuela's leader, Nicolás Maduro, that they now want to move quickly to seize the island before Russia or China makes a move. British diplomats believe Trump is also driven by a desire to distract American voters from the current state of the US economy before the mid-term elections later this year.
Top Brass Try to 'Deflect' President
The President's military chiefs have been attempting to distract him from the Greenland scheme by floating other major operations, according to insiders. They have suggested going after Russian 'ghost' ships—Moscow's clandestine network of vessels used to dodge Western sanctions—or hitting Iran with strikes.
'They have tried to distract Trump by talking about less controversial measures, such as intercepting Russian ghost ships or launching a strike on Iran,' one source said. Another put it more bluntly: 'The generals think Trump's Greenland plan is crazy and illegal. So they are trying to deflect him with other major military operations. They say it's like dealing with a five-year-old'.
This kind of open resistance from top Pentagon figures towards a sitting president is nearly unheard of in modern American politics.
British Cables Warn NATO Could 'Collapse From Within'
Diplomats have already war-gamed what they're calling an 'escalatory scenario' where Trump uses force or 'political coercion' to cut Greenland's links to Denmark. One diplomatic cable describes the worst outcome as 'the destruction of NATO from the inside'.
The cable goes further: 'Some European officials suspect this is the real aim of the hardline MAGA faction around Trump. Since Congress would not allow Trump to exit NATO, occupying Greenland could force the Europeans to abandon NATO. If Trump wants to end NATO, this might be the most convenient way to do it'.
Moving against Greenland would put Trump on a collision course with Sir Keir Starmer and threaten the entire foundation of the Western alliance that has existed since 1949. European officials are watching carefully to see whether Britain remains committed to its European allies.
A 'Compromise Scenario' where Denmark gives Trump full military access to Greenland whilst blocking Russia and China out.
'For domestic political reasons, Trump can start with an escalatory scenario which shifts to a compromise scenario,' the cable says. 'European officials fear that, for Trump, the window of opportunity before the mid-terms is closing in the summer, therefore action is expected sooner rather than later. The NATO summit on July 7 seems like the natural timing for a compromise deal'.
🚨🇺🇸 Warning from the U.S. Congress:
— China pulse 🇨🇳 (@Eng_china5) January 11, 2026
“Any member of the military, from generals to the lowest ranks, who takes part in the use of force against Greenland without congressional authorization would be carrying out illegal orders.” pic.twitter.com/nQQEjYfIeG
Why Greenland Matters in the Arctic Power Game
Trump's fixation on Greenland isn't new—he suggested buying it during his first term and called it strategically vital. This is despite Denmark repeatedly saying that the island is not for sale.
The autonomous territory has grown increasingly important, as climate shifts open new shipping routes and reveal access to valuable resources. The Arctic holds about 13 per cent of the world's undiscovered oil.
Russia has been rebuilding Soviet-era bases in the region, while China has declared itself a 'near-Arctic state' and invested heavily in Greenland's infrastructure, raising concerns among Western allies about Beijing's long-term ambitions.
The reported clash between Trump and his military leadership raises serious questions about command authority and the limits of presidential power in ordering military operations. Any invasion of Greenland would require Congressional approval under the War Powers Resolution.
The situation also highlights the growing tension between Trump's 'America First' approach and traditional US commitments to its European allies. If the reports are accurate, this would represent the most serious threat to NATO unity since the alliance's founding 76 years ago.
