Denmark's government has summoned the top US diplomat, Jennifer Hall Godfrey, following a Wall Street Journal report that the United States has intensified its intelligence gathering efforts in Greenland. Godfrey, acting head of the US Embassy in Copenhagen, met with high-ranking Danish diplomat Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen at the Danish Foreign Ministry on Thursday.
The Wall Street Journal article, published on Tuesday, indicated that several senior US officials under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued a "collection emphasis message" to intelligence agency heads. This message directed agencies to investigate Greenland’s independence movement and assess sentiments surrounding US resource extraction in the territory.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed concerns regarding the report, stating that the government sought a “rebuttal” or explanation from the US. Previously, Rasmussen had criticized the Trump administration for its perceived threats to Greenland's sovereignty, labeling the report as "very worrying" and indicating that Danish authorities are taking the situation seriously.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized to the Associated Press that “you cannot spy against an ally.” The Danish Foreign Ministry did not provide further details on the meeting, while the US embassy declined to comment on the matter.
In response to the Journal's report, Gabbard's office stated that she had made three “criminal” referrals to the Justice Department concerning leaks from the intelligence community, with additional investigations into nearly a dozen more leak cases ongoing. Gabbard criticized the Wall Street Journal for allegedly assisting “deep state actors” in undermining the president through the politicization and leaking of classified information, asserting that those responsible would be held accountable under the law.
Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, has attracted attention from former President Trump, who claimed that controlling the territory was vital for national security purposes. The island is rich in critical raw materials and rare earths, and analysts suggest that the melting of Arctic ice offers increasing strategic opportunities for trade, energy, and transport.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington respects Greenland’s self-determination, claiming that Greenlanders "don’t want to be a part of Denmark." However, an opinion poll released in January indicated that 85% of Greenlanders do not desire to become part of the US. Greenland’s prime minister recently criticized the White House's statements about the territory, asserting that it “will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.” During a visit to Greenland, Frederiksen reiterated, “you cannot annex another country.”
