Democrats in the United States have been quick to criticize and mock President Trump’s recent letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, in which he outlined his intentions to acquire Greenland. The letter, which was shared with multiple European ambassadors, has caused quite a stir on Capitol Hill.
In the letter, President Trump questioned why Denmark has a “right of ownership” over the semi-sovereign territory of Greenland. He also cited the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Committee’s decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to former Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007 as a reason for his interest in acquiring Greenland.
The response from Democrats on Capitol Hill has been swift and scathing. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the letter “absurd” and accused President Trump of having “no understanding of the responsibilities of the office he holds.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also weighed in, stating that the letter was “another example of President Trump’s reckless and impulsive behavior.”
Other Democrats on Capitol Hill have taken a more lighthearted approach, using humor to mock the president’s letter. Representative Ted Lieu of California tweeted, “Dear President Trump: I’m pretty sure Denmark has a ‘right of ownership’ over Greenland because it’s their country. #GreenlandIsNotForSale.” Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii also chimed in, tweeting, “I would like to buy Greenland too. I’ll give you $50 and a case of beer.”
The overall sentiment from Democrats on Capitol Hill is that President Trump’s letter is yet another example of his erratic and unpredictable behavior. Many are questioning the motives behind his interest in acquiring Greenland, with some speculating that it could be a distraction from other pressing issues such as the ongoing trade war with China and the recent mass shootings in the United States.
But while Democrats may be quick to criticize and mock the president’s letter, there are also concerns about the potential consequences of such a move. Greenland is a strategically important location for the United States, with a U.S. military base already located on the island. Acquiring Greenland could also give the U.S. access to valuable natural resources, including oil and gas.
Despite these concerns, President Trump seems determined to pursue his interest in acquiring Greenland. In a recent interview, he stated that “it’s something we talked about” and that “strategically, it’s interesting.” He also added that “a lot of things could be done” with Greenland, hinting at potential economic opportunities.
While the idea of acquiring Greenland may seem far-fetched to many, it is not without precedent. In 1917, the United States purchased the Danish West Indies, now known as the U.S. Virgin Islands, from Denmark for $25 million. However, the circumstances surrounding the potential acquisition of Greenland are vastly different, and it is unlikely that Denmark would be willing to part with the territory.
In the end, it remains to be seen what will come of President Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland. But one thing is for sure, his letter to the Norwegian Prime Minister has caused quite a stir on Capitol Hill and has once again highlighted the deep divisions between Democrats and the Trump administration. As the 2020 election approaches, it is clear that this will not be the last controversial move from the president that will be met with criticism and mockery from his political opponents.
