On January 6, Senate Majority “Leader” John Thune assured us no one is seriously thinking of invading Greenland:
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) on Tuesday dismissed the prospect of deploying the military to seize mineral-rich Greenland, even though top White House adviser Stephen Miller declared the ice-covered territory should rightfully belong to the U.S.
“I think that’s probably getting the cart ahead of the horse. I don’t see military action being an option there,” Thune said of a possible U.S. takeover of Greenland after President Trump deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro over the weekend.
Thune noted he led a congressional delegation to Denmark, which controls Greenland, last year.
“I led a delegation in August, of senators, and one of our stops was in Copenhagen. We met with all the elected leaders there, and obviously they’re very passionate about Greenland,” he said.
But the GOP leader said that something might be “worked out” between the Trump administration, Danish leaders and the populace of Greenland to expand an American business presence on the island.
“If there’s something there that could be mutually worked out, obviously it’s of interest to national security and the Arctic. They realize that, and so do we,” he said.
Thune said a U.S. military takeover of Greenland is “not something that anybody is contemplating seriously” [Alexander Bolton, “Thune Dismisses Prospect of Military Seizure of Greenland,” The Hill, 2026.01.06].
After two weeks of Trump and his henchmen talking very seriously about taking over Greenland, Thune is still spouting wish-washy namby-pamb:
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who led a CODEL here [to Copenhagen] in August, has similarly sought to lower the temperature as Trump ratchets up his threats. Thune wants his colleagues to deliver a similar message here this weekend.
“There’s certainly not an appetite here [in Congress] for some of the options that have been talked about or considered,” Thune told us, urging senators making the trip to “demonstrate a willingness to work constructively” [Andrew Desiderio, “Congress’s Trump Reassurance Tour Goes NATO,” Punchbowl News, 2026.01.16].
Thune resorts here to his regular rhetorical dodge, talking vaguely about vote counts without offering any direct, instructive evaluation of or opinion on the actual issue at hand for which he might be held accountable.
Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska at least shows some useful spine and honesty in deeming conquest of Greenland both stupid and impeachable:
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said Wednesday he’d consider impeaching President Trump if the U.S. decides to invade Greenland, which he described as “utter buffoonery.”
“It’s ridiculous that this has to even be done,” Bacon told the Omaha World-Herald. “But when the president talks about taking Greenland one way or the other way every day this last week or so and that it’s unacceptable if Greenland refuses to be part of the United States, I felt like I needed to make a statement that Republicans disagree.”
“It’s utter buffoonery to think that we should compel Greenland to be part of the United States,” he added [Ashleigh Fields, “Bacon Says He Would ‘Lean’ Toward Trump Impeachment If Greenland Invaded: ‘Utter Buffonery’,” The Hill, 2026.01.16].
Bacon’s forthright declaration that taking over Greenland is criminally bonkers shows how Thune and any responsible lawmaker should respond to Trump’s reckless foreign policy. Seizing Greenland would put the United States on a moral par with Saddam Hussein’s Iraq in 1991 when it invaded Kuwait. Seizing Greenland would destroy NATO, unravel generations of work led by the U.S. to build a peaceful global order after World War 2, and a resurgence of imperialism that will play into Russian and Chinese designs and leave America with no allies and no defense but brute force.
That destruction of America’s hard-won security amidst stable alliances and international law could be the highest crime a President can commit. Instead of wishing away the President’s threats, Senator Thune should Representative Bacon in telling Trump to drop his dangerous talk of taking over Greenland or face removal from office.
Related Reading: from Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Republican leader of the Senate NATO Observer Group:
Calling the NATO alliance “critically important,” he told Tapper that “shaking that alliance sends a signal to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin that he’s winning.”
…“It’s very important for the NATO alliance to know that we have their back because they’ve had ours.”
“We need to make it very clear that our strength and our ability to project power to stand off against Putin, to stand off Russia, to stand off China, Iran, it all rests on this exquisite capability that we have under NATO,” he said.
The remarks came just hours after Tillis delivered a searing speech on the Senate floor.
“I’m sick of stupid,” a fiery Tillis declared in the Senate. “I want good advice for this president, because I want this president to have a good legacy. And this nonsense on what’s going on with Greenland is a distraction from the good work he’s doing, and the amateurs who said it was a good idea should lose their jobs” [Morgan Rimmer, “GOP Senator’s Scathing Message to Stephen Miller: Get Informed on Greenland or Leave the Job,” CNN, 2026.01.07].
It was the billionaire heir to Estee Lauder fortune that suggested the felon buy Greenland, not national seciurity interests…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/15/ronald-lauder-billionaire-donor-donald-trump-ukraine-greenland
The heir also wants Ukraine’s precious metals.
When the history of the Trump era is written Thune will be considered just as many of the conservative leaders in Weimar Germany are now considered: deluded by their own selfish desire for power and prestige. The Weimar conservatives placated a narcissist with extreme and crazy ideas just so the could gain power. They thought they could control this leader or guide him to be more reasonable. They were just as deluded as the man who kill millions and start World War II.
Trump is not going to be controlled by Thune, a man who has gained his own perch of power by going along and getting along. Thune has proved over his long career that he has no real core and no courage. His Chrisian faith is whimpy, at best. His so-called “conservative” values about the sanctity of life vanish as fast as Trump’s thugs extiguish more lives on the streets of major cities. That’s how the Holocaust started, but Thune summon up the courage to confront the demon. He’s gutless, if not a demon himself, just as the Weimar conservatives were.
Thune brings dishonor on his party, but maybe he knows history a bit more than I give him credit for. Hitler, after all, kolled off many of the conservatives, too. And, of course, he threatens family members of politicians who gave him too much trouble. I suspect that hangs heavily on Thune, as it would with many folks.
No, Thune will never be a hero. To find those, look to the streets of Minneapolis. That’s where you’ll find many ordinary folks confronting Trump’s thugs. They risk death to raise their voices against Trump’s Gestapo. The real heros of the Trump era are nowhere near the US Senate. They are in the streets.
Well Donald, you hit the nail on the head. Thune has been basically a rino for decades. Noem could have taken him out. He’s lucky and was patient. Its not the time for patient. I haven’t even made a joke about too Thune so I’m quitting.
I notice that Thune (or any of the MAGA enablers) didn’t say that the President CAN’T invade or that he would be sure the Senate/Congress would check any such foolhardy moves. Always, even denials give deference to the Dear Leader’s unlimited power to do that thing.
Thune is simply another career politician who uses projection to avoid the Dan Nelson and MetaBank scandals.
In Donald’s comment: “no core and no courage”—that apparently is all of these Republicans. All that differentiates them is their willingness to assert their power. Amidst sheep like Thune, a wolf like Trump rises.
Thune and his colleagues need to cowboy up and root out Trump’s evil before he destroys the country.
Democrats for their part need to stop focus-grouping and campaign all out on the mortal crisis Donald Trump and the GOP have put us in. “Affordability” is peanuts compared to the destruction of NATO, the global order, and the rule of law. Stopping Trump by retaking the House and the Senate is all that matters.
Don’t check the laws.
Don’t announce your intentions.
Just do it now and lie about it later. -DT
Cory:
Amen!
Canada signed a very large trade deal with China.
Countries are now working around the US.
Meanwhile, Trump is increasing tariffs until Greenland is owned by the US.
This administration has done great damage to the US in one year, and we still have 3 years to go.
Thune, Rounds, Johnson: do you support Trump’s bonkers behavior? Is congress sleeping?
Please,, just come out and say you opinions on this circus so we know where you stand.
“There’s certainly not an appetite here [in Congress] for some of the options that have been talked about or considered.”
As usual, Johnny didn’t say that they would not go along with the “options” should they occur. Wishy washy, spineless cowboy. Daddy would be so proud that sonny boy is upholding the values he fought so valiantly for in WW II. /s
Dusty will tell you six ways to refram the question. Even agree it needs fixed but not one idea on what he plans to do to fix it. Just like his phone townhall the other night, not one solid, hell for that matter one weak solution on how to fix any of the issues raised just more of the sympathy speach “I hear you” “I understand” “here is the issue” diarea spewing forth from his mouth. Sickning!
Yes, recent reports indicate the Pentagon has developed contingency plans for seizing Greenland, stemming from President Trump’s expressed desire to acquire the territory, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirming the military always plans for “any contingency,” though top brass oppose such a move as illegal and politically damaging, potentially violating NATO’s Article V. These contingency plans explore scenarios amid rising Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic, but senior commanders view a forceful takeover as a last resort, if at all, due to major international repercussions, including breaking NATO unity.
Why Greenland?
Strategic Arctic Location: Greenland is vital for defense, monitoring air approaches, and controlling strategic sea lanes.
Natural Resources: The island holds significant untapped natural resources, including rare earth elements.
Russian & Chinese Influence: Growing interest from Russia and China in the Arctic fuels U.S. concerns about securing the region.
Pentagon’s Stance
Defense Secretary Hegseth confirmed the Pentagon prepares plans for “any contingency,” including seizing Greenland by force if necessary, but this is standard military procedure for potential threats, not an active pursuit.
Senior U.S. commanders warn against such an operation, noting it could be illegal and would severely damage NATO.
Political & International Reaction
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation to prevent military action in Greenland, supporting NATO allies.
Danish leaders and Greenland’s government strongly oppose any U.S. takeover, with Denmark placing forces on alert.
Experts suggest a forced takeover would break the NATO alliance, as it would violate Article V, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.
Key Takeaway: The Pentagon maintains contingency plans as a matter of standard procedure, but a military takeover of Greenland remains a highly controversial, potentially catastrophic option opposed by many in the military and international community, despite President Trump’s interest in acquiring the territory.
U.S. President #DonaldTrump has reportedly ordered #America’s …
Jan 11, 2026 — U.S. President #DonaldTrump has reportedly ordered #America’s elite special forces to prepare contingency plans for a possible mil…
Noem backing shooting in Minnesota. In South Dakota the Attorney General rules if a officer shooting is justified. There has never been an officer shooting that wasn’t ruled justified. Period!
Donald Trump is showing severe mental degradation with his dealings about Greenland.
Senator THUNE. Don’t be too hard on him as soon as gets his testicles back from Mitch McConnell he may actually use them to grow a backbone.
Then there is that skinny bald headed advisor to DJT, he’s living Proof of what happens Jone Masterbates on a Petri dish.
Donald Trump is showing severe mental degradation with his dealings about Greenland.
Senator THUNE. Don’t be too hard on him it’s rumored he gets his testicles back from Mitch McConnell he actually may use them to grow a backbone.
Then there is that skinny bald headed advisor to DJT, he’s living Proof of what happens Jone Masterbates on a Petri dish.
Donald Trump is showing severe mental degradation with his dealings about Greenland.
Senator THUNE. Don’t be too hard on him it’s rumored he gets his testicles back from Mitch McConnell he may actually loan them to Dusty Johnson to grow a backbone.
Then there is that skinny bald headed advisor to DJT, he’s living Proof of what happens Jone Masterbates on a Petri dish.
Chilling, where we are at. Every word above is understandable, commendable, and action must be taken. Military coup may be in the works. Lower courts are standing.
But MAGA, preppers, embedded Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and 3%ers, etc. are armed to the teeth. Propaganda is destabilizing rationality. GOP spin has evolved into dangerous manipulation. Debate, diplomacy and norms are trampled. Grdz has free rein to spew horsesheit here. If we wanted more Rush Limbaugh we would ask for it. Violence is what Trump unleashed from the beginning.
If there is a valid election, if we can fix what politicians have broken, and if the country can keep its head above violence, the damage Republicans have inflicted will take years, decades, cost us everything we have, and kill generations of innocents.
As a consequence of the GOP’s lust for power, immoral billionaires and corporations too big to fail and to big to obey the law are enabled.
Nuremberg all over again.
“The Pilgrims stopped in Greenland and claimed it for themselves. Then the Pilgrims continued on to our shore. Our “woke” school systems never mention this to the students but it’s true. USA actually already owns Greenland and we’re just coming to make things safer and better for all concerned. Except China and Russia which will be the source of the guerilla groups of dedicated GrunLanders that will try to impede our progress.” -DJT
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=udH_1DywjPc
Yesterday’s broadcast. all we need to know. appeasement buys violence. Dems have the last chance. Next month. Shut down Trump’s government.
“nothing lasts forever” — Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower thru Obama: “when the last person dies that was alive when WWII was won, that is how long NATO etc will last.”
Each century is bloodier.