Critics of U.S. President Donald Trump are calling for his removal from office via the 25th Amendment over a letter he sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre concerning Greenland.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has escalated rhetoric about the United States potentially annexing Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. He has argued that the Arctic island is critical for U.S. security given the threats posed by Russia and China, and the White House has declined to rule out using the military to acquire Greenland.
Trump’s posture toward Greenland has drawn backlash on the global stage, as European allies view his position as a threat to the island’s sovereignty. Some European countries have sent troops to Greenland, while Trump has threatened to enact tariffs against European countries that oppose the U.S.’s efforts to take control of the territory.
President Donald Trump tours the Ford River Rouge Complex on January 13 in Dearborn, Michigan. | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
What To Know
Trump reiterated threats concerning Greenland in his letter to the Norwegian leader, PBS News reported on Sunday.
According to the outlet, the president wrote: “Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a ‘right of ownership’ anyway?
“There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT.”
Following the letter’s publication, critics have called for the invocation of the 25th Amendment, which allows members of the president’s Cabinet to legally remove him from office if they do not believe he is fit to lead. It can be executed whenever the vice president and a majority of other Cabinet members believe the president is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.”
In that scenario, the vice president would become president. No Cabinet member has signaled a willingness to remove Trump from office.
“This is what the 25TH F****** AMENDMENT IS FOR,” activist Shannon Watts wrote on X in response to news of the letter.
Journalist Simon Nixon wrote on the platform: “Surely this letter alone is enough to trigger the 25th amendment? Evidence of serious mental illness.”
“Well into 25th Amendment territory,” Evan Rosenfeld, the deputy digital director for the Bulwark, wrote on X.
Former Republican strategist Rick Wilson wrote: “Trump’s new gigantic temper tantrum over Norway is deep into 25th Amendment territory.
“Hell, at this point? 25th Admt territory is far in the rearview mirror and we are descending further into madness by the moment.”
What People Are Saying
Democratic U.S. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii wrote on X: “I don’t see how you can be a serious person and not find this extremely worrisome. He is not stable at all and his reality is warped. He was always a bit like this of course but now he’s 80.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a statement on Monday: “Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter. We also support that NATO in a responsible way is taking steps to strengthen security and stability in the Arctic. As regards the Nobel Peace Prize, I have clearly explained, including to president Trump what is well known, the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian Government.”
U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: “NATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that ‘you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland.’ Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!!.”
What Happens Next
Trump’s threats concerning Greenland continue to strain U.S. relations with allies in Europe.
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