Pentagon Considers Transferring Greenland to U.S. Northern Command Amid Trump's Renewed Interest

The Pentagon is considering transferring Greenland's military oversight from U.S. European Command (EUCOM) to U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), reflecting the Trump administration's focus on the Arctic. Discussions, some predating Trump's 2025 return to office, have intensified due to his interest in acquiring Greenland and tensions with Denmark. The shift aligns with NORTHCOM's mission and Greenland's strategic location. Denmark has expressed concerns, especially after reports of increased U.S. intelligence activities in Greenland. The U.S. is also exploring a Compact of Free Association with Greenland, though it remains under Danish sovereignty.

Strategic Reassignment Under Review

According to multiple sources familiar with internal deliberations, the Department of Defense is evaluating a proposal to shift Greenland under the jurisdiction of NORTHCOM, the military command responsible for defending the U.S. homeland. Currently, Greenland falls under EUCOM, which oversees U.S. military operations in Europe and parts of the Arctic.

Proponents of the shift argue that Greenland’s geographic location on the North American tectonic plate and its strategic proximity to the U.S. make it a more logical fit for NORTHCOM. “It sometimes gets overlooked by U.S. European Command because of its distance from the command center in central Europe,” one U.S. official told CNN. The move would also align with NORTHCOM’s mission to monitor potential threats approaching from the Arctic, particularly from adversaries like Russia and China.

The unclassified version of the U.S. intelligence community’s 2025 annual threat assessment mentioned Greenland four times, highlighting its growing importance in the context of great power competition in the Arctic.

Trump’s Persistent Interest in Greenland

The renewed focus on Greenland comes as President Trump continues to express interest in acquiring the territory. In a recent interview with NBC, Trump stated, “I don’t rule it out,” when asked about the possibility of taking Greenland by force. “We need Greenland very badly,” he added. “Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them, and all of that. But we need that for international security.”

Trump’s ambitions regarding Greenland are not new. During his first term in 2019, he floated the idea of purchasing the island from Denmark, a proposal that was swiftly rejected by Danish officials. The idea resurfaced in 2025 following his re-election, with increased diplomatic activity and high-profile visits to Greenland by Vice President J.D. Vance and Donald Trump Jr.

Historical Context and Military Presence

The United States has a long-standing military presence in Greenland, dating back to World War II when it operated 17 bases on the island. In 1946, President Harry Truman offered to buy Greenland from Denmark, but the proposal was quietly declined. During the Cold War, the U.S. maintained a substantial presence, which diminished after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991.

Today, the U.S. operates Thule Air Base in northwestern Greenland, a key site for missile warning and space surveillance. The base is considered a vital outpost in the Arctic, especially as melting ice opens new maritime routes and resource extraction opportunities.

Diplomatic Fallout and Danish Concerns

The Pentagon’s internal discussions have sparked concern among U.S. officials and international partners. Several officials expressed wariness about the optics of the move, particularly given Trump’s repeated assertions that the U.S. “needs” Greenland and his refusal to rule out military action to obtain it.

Danish officials have reacted strongly to recent developments. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced plans to summon the U.S. acting ambassador to Denmark following a Wall Street Journal report that Washington had ordered increased intelligence gathering on Greenland. The report alleged that U.S. agencies were directed to monitor Greenland’s independence movement and local attitudes toward American resource extraction.

“I have read the article in the Wall Street Journal, and it worries me greatly because we do not spy on friends,” Rasmussen said during an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Warsaw. “We are going to call in the U.S. acting ambassador for a discussion at the foreign ministry to see if we can confirm this information, which is somewhat disturbing.”

Symbolic and Political Implications

While the proposed shift to NORTHCOM may appear administrative, it carries symbolic weight. Greenland is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, and placing it under NORTHCOM could be interpreted as a step toward separating it from European oversight. Denmark would remain under EUCOM, potentially creating a perceived divide between the two.

U.S. officials involved in the discussions have acknowledged the political sensitivity of the move. “It’s not just about command structure,” one official said. “It’s about the message it sends to our allies and to the people of Greenland.”

Compact of Free Association Proposal

In parallel with the military realignment discussions, U.S. officials are reportedly exploring the possibility of offering Greenland a Compact of Free Association (COFA), similar to agreements the U.S. maintains with several Pacific island nations. Under a COFA, the U.S. would provide essential services and military protection in exchange for strategic access and operational freedom.

However, COFA agreements are typically made with independent nations, and Greenland remains under Danish sovereignty. For such a deal to be viable, Greenland would likely need to pursue full independence—a politically and legally complex process.

The COFA proposal, while not equivalent to full territorial acquisition, reflects the Trump administration’s continued interest in integrating Greenland more closely into the U.S. strategic orbit. According to Reuters, the proposal is one of several under consideration and faces numerous practical hurdles.

Arctic Geopolitics and Climate Change

The Arctic’s growing strategic importance is driven by both geopolitical and environmental factors. The region is warming four times faster than the global average, accelerating ice melt and opening new shipping lanes and access to untapped natural resources. These changes have intensified competition among global powers, particularly the U.S., Russia, and China.

Greenland’s location makes it a critical vantage point for monitoring and responding to Arctic developments. As such, the Pentagon’s interest in reassigning command responsibility reflects broader national security priorities, including homeland defense and deterrence.