Today, Explained – "Trump’s Greenland Obsession"

Date: January 15, 2026
Hosts: Vox team, featuring reporter Annie Grayer and Guardian Europe correspondent John Henley

Overview

This episode explores President Trump’s intensifying campaign to acquire Greenland, examining the evolving reaction from Congress—especially among Republicans—alongside the broader international fallout. The hosts and guests discuss why Trump is fixated on Greenland, the resistance this provokes from allies and Congress, and the high-stakes consequences for NATO, U.S.-Europe relations, and global politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Capitol Hill’s Divide: Congress and Trump’s Expanding War Powers

• Congressional Reluctance & the Republican Dilemma
  • Despite escalating concerns about Trump’s foreign interventions, most congressional Republicans are still hesitant to push back overtly. Senator Rand Paul is a vocal exception, especially on the Greenland issue.
  • [00:24] Rand Paul: “If we start talking about Greenland, there is absolutely zero support among Republican none. From Democrats and none from Republicans for invading Greenland.”
• Election-Year Tensions
  • As midterms approach, cracks are appearing among Congressional Republicans, especially moderates mindful of their reelection prospects.
  • [03:20] Annie Grayer: “Certainly Republicans know it’s an election year. The spotlight is on them... we’re starting to see some openings for cracks.”

2. Venezuela Raid: A New Precedent for Trump’s Foreign Policy

• The Caracas Operation
  • U.S. forces recently captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Although publicly supportive, five Senate Republicans joined Democrats in a War Powers resolution to curb Trump’s authority.
  • [06:12] Annie Grayer: “Immediately after the vote, Trump took to Truth Social and name checked all five of those Republicans, said they should not be elected to Congress again.”
  • Trump utilized public shaming and private pressure, while Secretary Marco Rubio intervened, promising no U.S. ground troops in Venezuela without congressional approval.
  • [07:42] Senator Todd Young (via Annie Grayer): “We have… no ground troops currently in Venezuela. If the administration sought to put ground troops into Venezuela, they would abide by the War act…”

3. Greenland Gambit: Growing Resistance and Anxiety

• Congressional Red Lines

  • The idea of militarily seizing Greenland is almost universally condemned on Capitol Hill. Even the proposal to purchase it is not garnering public support.
  • [09:07] Annie Grayer: “Greenland, we are seeing an even bigger break, potentially, than what we saw with Venezuela, and from a cast of characters that aren’t the usual critics of Trump.”
  • Congressional leaders (Rep. Mike Johnson, Sen. John Thune) and Armed Services Committee chairs are firmly opposed.
  • Many Republicans are “quietly hoping" Trump isn’t serious about Greenland.

• War Powers and the Erosion of Congressional Authority

  • This crisis has triggered a broader debate in Congress about its constitutional role, as members from both parties reflect on decades of ceding power to the executive branch.
  • [11:05] Annie Grayer: “This is about protecting the institution of Congress… when it comes to foreign intervention...the degradation of Congress...has been happening for a long time.”

4. Europe’s Alarm: The View from Copenhagen, Nuuk, and Paris

• Diplomatic Confrontation
  • Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers held direct talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President Vance, aiming to “talk sense” into the U.S. regarding Greenland.
  • [14:20] John Henley: “They said they wanted to really look the American side in the eye and talk some sense about what the situation really was in Greenland.”
• Trump’s Justifications: Security and the ‘Threat’ From Russia and China
  • Trump claims that Greenland is vital for U.S. security and that Russian and Chinese naval forces threaten the region—a narrative refuted by local intelligence.
  • [15:35] Danish official (via John Henley): “It is not a true narrative that we have, you know, Chinese warships all around the place… We haven’t had a Chinese warship in Greenland for a decade or so.”
• NATO in Peril
  • European diplomats, including Ursula von der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron, warn that a U.S. invasion of Greenland could shatter NATO and U.S.-Europe relations.
  • [19:07] John Henley: “If the US were to invade Greenland, it would be the end of NATO. Do we believe that? Why is that?”
  • [20:14] Ursula von der Leyen (via John Henley): “Greenland belongs to its people… It’s up to Denmark and Greenland and only to them to decide.”

5. Can America Buy Greenland?

• International Law and Self-Determination
  • Even a massive proposed purchase ($700 billion) would face insurmountable barriers. Greenlanders have self-rule, can hold independence referendums, and polls show massive opposition to joining the U.S.
  • [22:01] John Henley: “The era when countries could buy and sell bits of their territory… has long gone… The Greenlanders have a right to self determination.”
  • [23:18] Host A: “They don’t want us, they don’t want you.”

6. What’s Next? European Unity and Uncertainty

• Military Build-up and Diplomatic Stalemate
  • Some European troop deployments to Greenland are underway; permanent NATO presence is being considered.
  • All sides now prioritize finding a solution that respects sovereignty without compromising security—though Trump’s fixation leaves the future uncertain.
  • [23:38] John Henley: “They want to find a way to give the US what it wants… without crossing their red lines… The ball is in the US camp now.”
  • [24:33] John Henley: “The question, the only real question is, you know, can he be talked out of it?”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "If we start talking about Greenland, there is absolutely zero support among Republicans—none."
  – Rand Paul (00:24)
• "Trump took to Truth Social and name checked all five of those Republicans, said they should not be elected to Congress again."
  – Annie Grayer (06:12)
• "The era when countries could buy and sell bits of their territory… has long gone."
  – John Henley (22:01)
• "Greenland belongs to its people… It’s up to Denmark and Greenland and only to them to decide."
  – Ursula von der Leyen (20:14, via John Henley)
• "It would be the end of NATO."
  – European officials on a potential U.S. invasion (19:07)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:14–01:00]: Capitol Hill’s reaction and Rand Paul’s outspoken criticism
• [03:20–05:59]: The Republican split and the War Powers debate
• [06:10–08:28]: Trump’s retaliation and Marco Rubio’s mediation
• [09:07–11:05]: Military use of force in Greenland and shifting Republican attitudes
• [11:05–12:50]: Congress’s role and history of war powers ceding
• [14:04–16:30]: European perspective; diplomatic tensions with Denmark and Greenland
• [18:44–20:14]: NATO’s existential risk and European solidarity
• [22:01–23:29]: Legal/ethical debate over “buying” Greenland
• [23:38–24:54]: Path forward: European aims and U.S. unpredictability

Tone and Style

The episode is urgent and analytical, with a focus on political intrigue, institutional confrontation, and looming geopolitical crisis. Interviewees and hosts maintain a direct, concerned, and slightly incredulous tone, especially as Trump’s threats challenge deep-seated norms and international alliances.

This summary captures the major themes and developments around President Trump’s Greenland ambitions, the fractures they expose in American politics, and the alarm they cause among U.S. allies worldwide.