Trump’s Greenland Push Escalates As GOP Lawmaker Moves To Make It America’s 51st State
A Republican lawmaker is moving to formally back President Donald Trump’s long-standing push to bring Greenland under U.S. control, introducing legislation that would begin the process toward making the Arctic territory the nation’s 51st state.
Rep. Randy Fine of Florida is unveiling a bill Monday that would give Trump authority “to take such steps as may be necessary” to acquire Greenland and advance it toward incorporation into the United States.
“I think it is in the world’s interest for the United States to exert sovereignty over Greenland,” Fine said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
He stressed that the measure would not bypass Congress’ constitutional role in statehood decisions. “Congress would still have to choose to make it a state, but this would simply authorize the president to do what he’s doing and say the Congress stands behind him. And then it would expedite it into becoming a state, but it would still be up to Congress about whether to do that.”
The renewed discussion comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that he plans to meet with officials from Denmark this week to address issues related to Greenland.
Trump has openly promoted the idea of the United States purchasing Greenland dating back to his first term in the White House. He and other Republicans have repeatedly cited the island’s strategic military value, its location near Russia, and the presence of critical mineral resources as reasons the U.S. should seek control.
Fine echoed those strategic arguments while also asserting that U.S. governance would improve conditions for Greenland’s residents.
“Their poverty rate is high. Denmark hasn’t treated them well,” Fine said. “When war came to town, Denmark couldn’t protect them. Guess who protected Greenland during World War II? We did.”
Although many Republicans say they understand Trump’s rationale for pursuing Greenland, some in the party expressed unease earlier this month after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to rule out the potential use of military force to obtain the island.
When asked whether he would support military action, Fine emphasized a non-coercive approach. “I think the best way to acquire Greenland is voluntarily.”
He further argued that Greenland’s internal governance and economic conditions make U.S. involvement preferable. “The poverty rate in Greenland is much, much higher than it is in Denmark. The country is run by socialists, and it is not in America’s interests to have a territory that large between the United States and Russia run by socialists,” Fine said.
Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress holds the authority to admit new states. The process generally involves lawmakers first approving legislation to establish a territory, followed by the drafting of a state constitution that must be ratified by local residents.
After that step, Congress must pass another vote to formally admit the new state, with the process completed only once the legislation is signed by the president.
{Matzav.com}
