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By Mandy Taheri
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Representative Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, criticized President Donald Trump's push to acquire Greenland, calling it "immoral," days after he suggested the president could face impeachment over the matter.
Newsweek has contacted Bacon's office for comment via email on Tuesday.
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Why It Matters
Last week, Bacon called Trump's talk of taking over Greenland "utter buffoonery," adding that it might lead to impeachment efforts. Impeachment talk rarely originates from a president's own party. By openly suggesting that Trump's Greenland invasion rhetoric could warrant removal from office, the five-term congressman signals how polarizing the president's stance on Greenland is at home and abroad. Bacon, who has been in office since 2017, has decided to not seek reelection in 2026.
Since returning to office exactly one year ago, Trump has escalated rhetoric about the United States potentially annexing Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark that is home to the U.S. space base at Pituffik. He has argued that the Arctic island is critical for U.S. security, and the White House has declined to rule out using the military to acquire the territory.
The U.S. and Denmark are both members of NATO, protected by the alliance's Article 5, which considers an attack on one to be an attack on all. Experts have warned that a U.S. military assault on another NATO state would rip apart the alliance.
What To Know
On Monday, Bacon wrote on X, "Very embarrassing conduct," in response to news that Trump told Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre he wanted to acquire Greenland because he didn't win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Responding to a user who commented, "Outcomes matter dope," Bacon wrote regarding Trump's push for Greenland: "Ends don't justify the means Goofy. It's immoral."
On Tuesday, the congressman commented on a recent poll that found 30 percent of Republicans backed the U.S. using military force to take Greenland, writing: "We obviously need more of the Gospel in our lives. Too many have lost their moral compass."
New polling released by CBS News and YouGov, conducted January 14 to 16, showed that 70 percent of Republicans were against Trump using military force to take control of Greenland. Among Democrats and independents, that figure was 97 percent and 90 percent, respectively. Overall, 86 percent of U.S. adults opposed military force against the U.S. ally.
In total, 70 percent of U.S. adults opposed a plan to purchase the territory from Denmark. The poll surveyed 2,523 U.S. adults and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.
Trump's posture toward Greenland has drawn backlash on the global stage, as European allies view his position as a threat to NATO and the island's sovereignty.
Some European countries have sent troops to Greenland, while Trump announced new tariffs on European countries that oppose the U.S.'s efforts to take control of the territory. Early on Tuesday, Trump shared a seemingly AI-edited image on Truth Social that showed a map with the American flag over Greenland, Canada and Venezuela while he spoke with European leaders. He has also shared a photo of himself, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio carrying an American flag next to a sign that said, "Greenland—U.S. Territory. Est. 2026."
Bacon warned Trump last week that "if he went through with the threats, I think it would be the end of his presidency. And he needs to know: The off-ramp is realizing Republicans aren't going to tolerate this and he's going to have to back off. He hates being told no, but in this case, I think Republicans need to be firm."
Global leaders are gathered this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Greenland has emerged as a major topic of discussion.
What People Are Saying
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday in Davos: "Let's not accept a global order which will be decided by those who claim to have, I would say, the bigger voice or the bigger stick."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday, per the Associated Press: "Now it's not the Collective West writing the rules but just one of its representatives. It's a major upheaval for Europe, and we are watching it. The Euro-Atlantic concept of ensuring security and cooperation has discredited itself."
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a statement on Monday: "Norway's position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter. We also support that NATO in a responsible way is taking steps to strengthen security and stability in the Arctic. As regards the Nobel Peace Prize, I have clearly explained, including to president Trump what is well known, the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian Government."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Davos: "The European Union and the United States have agreed to a trade deal last July. And in politics as in business—a deal is a deal. And when friends shake hands, it must mean something. ... We consider the people of the United States not just our allies, but our friends. And plunging us into a downward spiral would only aid the very adversaries we are both so committed to keeping out of the strategic landscape."
U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on January 17: "We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration. Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back—World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it. ... Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake."
He added: "Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland. The United States has been trying to do this transaction for over 150 years."
What Happens Next
Trump is set to speak in Davos on Wednesday. The newly announced tariffs are set to go into effect on February 1.
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