U.S. Defense Secretary on Greenland Force Annexation Question: "Contingency Planning Is Necessary"

Secretary Hegseth Responds to Questions on Greenland and Panama
"We Prepare for Any Contingency"
Democratic Lawmakers Criticize Department of Defense's Stance

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth did not rule out the possibility of using force regarding Greenland, a territory of Denmark, on June 12 (local time).

At a House Armed Services Committee hearing held in Washington, D.C. that day, Secretary Hegseth responded to questions from Democratic lawmakers asking whether the Department of Defense had prepared plans to seize Greenland and Panama by force, stating, "At the Department of Defense, our job is to prepare plans for any contingency."

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense. Photo by Getty Images Yonhap News

Greenland and Panama are the targets for which U.S. President Donald Trump has stated he would not rule out the option of using force, either to make them U.S. territories or to reclaim operational control of the Panama Canal.

Mike Turner, a Republican member of Congress, said, "I hope this does not mean that the Department of Defense has plans to seize Greenland by force." In response, Secretary Hegseth replied, "We look forward to cooperating with Greenland to protect it from any potential threats."

After a series of questions and answers between Democratic lawmakers and Secretary Hegseth, Democratic Representative Salud Carbajal raised his voice, telling Secretary Hegseth, "You bring shame to this country" and "You are not fit to lead the Department of Defense."

Since his victory in the presidential election in November of last year, President Trump has repeatedly expressed his intention to annex Greenland and reclaim operational control of the Panama Canal, emphasizing the need to secure economic and security interests in the Arctic and to counter Chinese influence, even before taking office. At a press conference in January, then President-elect Trump was asked whether he would rule out military or economic coercion to secure control over the Panama Canal and Greenland. He answered, "I cannot make any assurances on either issue."