On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that he will designate Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland.
"Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country's Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Requests for comment were not immediately answered by the White House, the Greenland Prime Minister's Office, or Landry's agents.
When Landry was elected governor in January 2024, it was not immediately apparent if he would have to resign. Citing security concerns and an interest in the island's mineral wealth, Trump has stated on multiple occasions over the years that Greenland, a Danish province that mostly governs itself, should join the United States. Earlier this year, Landry praised the concept.
"President Donald J. Trump is absolutely right!" Landry posted on social media site X on January 9. "We must make sure Greenland becomes a part of the United States.
Fantastic for them and fantastic for us! "Let's finish it!" Denmark and Greenland have continually rejected the idea. Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt stated that U.S. remarks about Greenland have caused concern among residents, despite the U.S. and Greenland's earlier this month vow to exhibit "mutual respect," and she emphasized the necessity for open communication with the U.S.
"Based on shared interests, our nation and the United States have worked together for eight decades. According to the local daily Sermitsiaq, Motzfeldt stated on December 8 that "we need to restore trust so we can continue good cooperation."
