FILE PHOTO: A man walks as Danish flag flutters next to Hans Egede Statue ahead of a March 11 general election in Nuuk, Greenland, March 9, 2025. REUTERS/Marko Djurica/File Photo
During Donald Trump's first presidency, he was often described as an "isolationist" whose paleoconservative "America First" views were a major departure from hawkish GOP presidents like George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon and George H.W. Bush. Yet Trump, at times, has taken an imperialistic turn during his second presidency — from calling for Canada to become "the 51st state" to pushing for regime change with Venezuela to wanting the United States to acquire Greenland.
Trump, in late December, reiterated his desire to take over Greenland — a Danish colony — and Greenland Premier Orla Joelsen reiterated that he has no desire for that to happen.
In a Tuesday, December 23 post on X, former Twitter, Joelsen posted, "This morning, I am both saddened and grateful. Saddened, because during a press conference last night, the President of the United States once again expressed a desire to take over Greenland. With such statements, our country is reduced to a question of security and power. That is not how we see ourselves, and it is not how Greenland can or should be spoken about."
The Greenland premier continued, "We are a people with a long history, a strong culture, and a vibrant democracy. We are a country with responsibility for our own territory and for our own future. Our territorial integrity and our right to self-determination are firmly anchored in international law and cannot simply be ignored. That is also why I am grateful."
Joelsen went on "thank heads of government" around the world for respecting Greenland's "democratic institutions."
"Once again: Greenland is our country," Joelsen tweeted. "Decisions are made here. And I will at all times fight for our freedom and our right to decide for ourselves and to shape our own future."