Exclusive reporting reveals that former US President Donald Trump has instructed his special forces commanders to prepare a detailed plan for the military invasion of Greenland, according to sources speaking to The Mail on Sunday.
The directive is reportedly facing significant pushback from senior military figures within the Pentagon, who view the plan as both illegal and lacking congressional support.
Hawks Emboldened and Military Resistance
Sources indicate that policy 'hawks' within Trump's orbit, notably led by his political adviser Stephen Miller, have been encouraged by earlier operations targeting foreign leaders. This faction is pushing for swift action to seize the vast Arctic island, motivated by fears that rivals like Russia or China could move first to establish a foothold.
However, the order has met with firm resistance. The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) was tasked with drawing up the invasion blueprint, but the joint chiefs of staff are actively opposing it. One source characterised the dynamic starkly, stating: 'The generals think Trump's Greenland plan is crazy and illegal. So they are trying to deflect him with other major military operations. They say it's like dealing with a five-year-old.'
In an attempt to redirect the President's focus, officials have reportedly suggested alternative, less controversial actions. These include intercepting a clandestine Russian fleet of 'ghost' ships used to circumvent Western sanctions, or launching a military strike on Iran.
A Political Distraction and NATO's Existential Threat
British diplomatic analysis suggests a key domestic motive behind the dramatic gambit. Officials believe Trump is motivated by a desire to distract American voters from the performance of the US economy ahead of the crucial mid-term elections later this year. A poor result could see him lose control of Congress to the Democrats.
The geopolitical ramifications, however, would be profound. Diplomatic cables have war-gamed an 'escalatory scenario' where Trump uses force or political coercion to sever Greenland's constitutional ties to Denmark. The described 'worst-case' outcome is nothing less than 'the destruction of NATO from the inside'.
The cable elaborates: 'Some European officials suspect this is the real aim of the hardline MAGA faction around Trump. Since Congress would not allow Trump to exit NATO, occupying Greenland could force the Europeans to abandon NATO. If Trump wants to end NATO, this might be the most convenient way to do it.'
Such a move would instantly create a major rift with the UK, placing Trump directly at odds with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and testing the Atlantic alliance to its breaking point.
The Clock Ticks Towards a Summer Crisis
Under a potential 'Compromise Scenario', Denmark would agree to grant the US full, formalised military access to Greenland while denying the same to Russia and China. Although America already has extensive access, this would put the arrangement on a firmer legal footing.
A diplomatic assessment notes: 'For domestic political reasons, Trump can start with an escalatory scenario which shifts to a compromise scenario.' European officials fear the window for action is narrow, with Trump's opportunity closing after the summer ahead of the mid-terms. This has led to concerns that action could be imminent, with the NATO summit on July 7 highlighted as a potential flashpoint for a forced deal.
The concluding analysis places significant emphasis on the UK's role, stating: 'The current concerns [about an invasion] are driven by the most extreme views coming from Stephen Miller. The UK's positioning will be key - whether it sticks closely with European allies or breaks ranks [to sanction Trump's approach].' The stage is set for a potentially catastrophic confrontation over the future of the Western alliance.
