US orders intelligence agencies to step up spying on Greenland
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The US expands intelligence efforts in Greenland, aligning with Trump's push to control the mineral-rich Arctic island amid rising strategic and political tensions.
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Demonstrators hold Greenland flags as they protest in front of the US embassy in Copenhagen, on March 29, 2025 (Nils Meilvang/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
The United States has intensified its intelligence-gathering operations in Greenland, in alignment with US President Donald Trump’s push to bring the Arctic territory under US control, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
As reported by WSJ, top officials under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued a "collection emphasis message" last week, directing US intelligence agencies to focus on Greenland’s independence movement and local attitudes toward American resource extraction.
The classified directive, shared with the CIA, NSA, and DIA, instructs agencies to identify individuals in Greenland and Denmark who support US objectives for the island. The WSJ notes this marks one of the first tangible intelligence initiatives in support of Trump’s ambition to acquire Greenland, through purchase, annexation, or potentially force.
The WSJ describes the collection emphasis message as a tool to guide intelligence priorities and redirect resources to targets of strategic concern. The order signifies a shift in US intelligence posture toward the Arctic, where Washington’s interest has largely been limited in the past.
Historically, Greenland, home to about 56,000 people, has not been a focal point of US intelligence. A former US intelligence official told the WSJ that "resources are inherently limited" and typically reserved for perceived threats, not allied nations.
James Hewitt, spokesperson for the National Security Council, declined to comment on intelligence matters but said, "The president has been very clear that the US is concerned about the security of Greenland and the Arctic," as quoted by the WSJ.
Gabbard, in a public response to the report, said: “The Wall Street Journal should be ashamed of aiding deep state actors who seek to undermine the President by politicizing and leaking classified information.”
Officials sent to Arctic island as Denmark condemns pressure campaign
According to the WSJ, Vice President JD Vance, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and then-National Security Adviser Mike Waltz visited Greenland in late March. Their trip drew condemnation from Danish officials and sparked concern among Greenlandic residents.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at the time reacted to the news of the visit, saying in a written statement, “This is something we take seriously.” She emphasized that Denmark desires cooperation with the US, but it must be based on “the fundamental rules of sovereignty.”
She further stated that discussions with the US regarding Greenland would occur in close coordination with both the Danish government and the future Greenlandic government.
“This puts completely unacceptable pressure on Greenland, Greenlandic politicians and the Greenlandic population,” said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
“President Trump is serious. He wants Greenland.”
Trump won’t rule out seizing Greenland “by force”
Trump has repeatedly framed Greenland as vital to national and international security, stressing, “We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it,” during a joint address to Congress in March.
When asked by NBC News whether he would rule out using military force, Trump responded, “I don’t rule it out. I don’t say I’m going to do it, but I don’t rule out anything.”
“We need Greenland very badly,” he added, “Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them, and all of that.”
What’s at stake: rare earths, oil, and Arctic dominance
As detailed by the WSJ, Greenland’s significance extends far beyond symbolism, the island holds large reserves of rare earth minerals essential for electric vehicles, defense systems, and green technologies.
It also contains untapped oil and natural gas resources, though these have proven difficult to access due to the Arctic’s harsh terrain.
With surveillance orders issued and diplomatic pressure mounting, the WSJ concludes that the Trump administration is advancing its efforts to assert American control over Greenland as part of its broader Arctic strategy.
