Rubio Tells Lawmakers Trump Aims to Buy Greenland, Downplays Military Action

In a closed-door briefing on Capitol Hill, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to calm growing concerns over U.S. rhetoric toward Greenland, telling lawmakers the administration is not planning an imminent invasion and that the preferred path is negotiation—specifically, buying the island from Denmark. The comments, first reported in a Wall Street Journal exclusive, come as President Donald Trump and senior officials have publicly declined to rule out using force, fueling anxiety among allies. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced that ambiguity, saying acquiring Greenland is a U.S. national security priority in the Arctic and that “all options,” including the military, remain on the table.

Rubio’s remarks were delivered during a broader classified briefing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, largely focused on the recent U.S. operation that led to the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. According to people familiar with the meeting, Rubio did most of the talking after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pressed the administration on whether military force could be used elsewhere, including Mexico and Greenland. Rubio downplayed that prospect, emphasizing negotiations with Denmark. Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, echoed that view, calling the approach “all about negotiations.”

Still, the mixed messaging has rattled Europe. Greenland is part of Denmark, a fellow NATO member, and alliance officials have warned that a U.S. attack there would effectively shatter the alliance. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said bluntly this week that NATO and the international order would collapse if one member attacked another. While U.S. and European officials say they see no signs of invasion planning, fears have grown amid recent U.S. military actions abroad. Trump argues control of Greenland is essential to counter Russia and China in the Arctic and to secure access to critical minerals, even as polling shows most Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the United States.