Greenland citizens express alarm while a decades-old military order authorizes immediate counterattack in case of armed aggression, amid renewed US acquisition threats.
Amid renewed interest from the Trump administration in acquiring Greenland, reports have surfaced that the Danish military maintains a standing order from 1952 authorizing forces in Greenland to counterattack without waiting for orders if attacked.
The directive, confirmed by Denmark’s Ministry of Defence to Berlingske, stipulates that in the event of an armed assault, military units must “engage in battle without waiting for or seeking orders”—a ‘shoot first, ask later’ doctrine that could be invoked should the United States pursue military action.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump views acquiring Greenland as a “national security priority” vital for deterring adversaries in the Arctic. “Utilising the US Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal,” she added.
While Trump has floated financial incentives—reportedly offering each of Greenland’s roughly 56,000 residents between $10,000 and $100,000 to join the US—he has not ruled out military options. His administration insists the move is critical for monitoring missile threats and countering Russian and Chinese presence in the region, not for Greenland’s significant mineral and potential energy resources.
The prospect has stirred deep concern among Greenlanders. One resident told local media, “I don’t want to talk about him [Trump], because he spoils my sleep,” adding that the US “doesn’t respect” her country. Another described Trump as the “archetype of greed.”
On social media, some Danish and Greenlandic users have responded with humor, creating TikTok videos joking about more McDonald’s or ads under US rule. However, the underlying tension is underscored by the active military directive and the serious geopolitical stakes.
Vice President JD Vance has urged Europe to take Trump’s threats “seriously,” highlighting the administration’s persistent focus on the strategically located Arctic territory, which is roughly six times the size of Germany and increasingly accessible due to climate change.
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