The United States is reportedly increasing its intelligence-gathering efforts focused on Greenland, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited two individuals familiar with the matter. The move appears to align with President Donald Trump’s previously expressed interest in acquiring the Arctic island, which remains a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
What kind of information is the US collecting on Greenland?
According to the report, a recent directive known as a “collection emphasis message” was issued by officials under the leadership of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The directive instructs key intelligence agencies, including the CIA and NSA, to prioritize information related to Greenland’s political and economic dynamics.
Specific focus areas include the island’s independence movement, public sentiment regarding potential U.S. resource extraction, and identifying individuals in Greenland and Denmark who may be sympathetic to U.S. objectives.
How are US intelligence officials responding to this?
In response to The Wall Street Journal’s report, Gabbard released a statement criticizing what she described as a leak of classified information. The National Intelligence director accused the publication of undermining U.S. interests by publishing the alleged intelligence directives.
“The Wall Street Journal should be ashamed of aiding deep state actors who seek to undermine the President by politicizing and leaking classified information,” Gabbard said. “They are breaking the law and undermining our nation’s security and democracy.”
Why does the US want to acquire Greenland?
Greenland is considered geopolitically strategic and resource-rich, particularly in rare-earth minerals, oil and natural gas — resources that have been attributed to Trump’s interest in the island. National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt also said the president “has been very clear that the U.S. is concerned about the security of Greenland and the Arctic.”
What happens next?
Trump has publicly stated his intentions regarding Greenland on multiple occasions. In a joint address to Congress in March, the president said the U.S. needed to acquire the territory for both national and international security reasons, asserting that “one way or another,” he intends to do so.
Then, in an interview marking Trump’s first 100 days back in office, NBC News’ Kristen Welker asked the president if he would rule out taking Greenland by force. In NBC’s more recent interview, he reiterated his desire to keep his options open.
“I don’t rule it out,” the president said. “I don’t say I’m going to do it, but I don’t rule out anything. No, not there. We need Greenland very badly. Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them, and all of that.”
Trump went on to say that the waters around the island have seen Russian and Chinese military vessels “all over the place,” and that, while he doubted that the U.S. would use military force to take the island, that “It could happen.”
