Trump announces he will appoint Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as US special envoy to Greenland

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he will appoint Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as US special envoy to Greenland, the vast, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark that Trump says should be taken over by the US.

“Jeff understands how vital Greenland is to our national security, and will vigorously represent our country’s interests for the safety, security and survival of our allies, and indeed the world,” Trump said in announcing the appointment.

Trump has repeatedly called for US jurisdiction over Greenland during his presidential transition and in the first months of his return to the White House, and has not ruled out military force to take control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island.

The issue had faded from the headlines in recent months, but in August Danish officials summoned the US ambassador following a report that at least three people with connections to Trump had been running covert influence operations in Greenland.

Earlier this year, Vice President JD Vance visited a remote US military base on the island and accused Denmark of underinvesting there.

Trump has said Greenland is crucial to US security and has not ruled out capturing the island with military force, even though Denmark is a US NATO ally.

Landry took office as governor in January 2024. His term ends in January 2028.

“It is an honor to serve in this volunteer position to make Greenland part of the US,” Landry wrote in a post on X thanking Trump for the appointment. He added, “This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!”

Denmark, a US NATO ally, and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports that the US was gathering intelligence there. The American push for Greenland is also opposed by Russia and much of Europe.

Denmark’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Landry’s appointment.

Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Agency said in a report earlier this month that the United States is using its economic power to “assert its will” and threaten military force against friend and foe.

The agency said in its annual review that Washington’s greater assertiveness under the Trump administration also stems from China and Russia trying to reduce Western, especially American, influence.

“The strategic importance of the Arctic is increasing 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 said.