US Congressman Randy Fine Proposes Greenland Annexation and Statehood Bill

Legislation Introduced to Annex Greenland

Washington D.C. – On Monday, January 12, 2026, Republican Congressman Randy Fine of Florida's 6th congressional district introduced a significant piece of legislation in the U.S. Congress: the 'Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act.' The bill seeks to empower the U.S. President to take necessary steps, including negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark, to acquire Greenland as a U.S. territory and subsequently grant it statehood.

Congressman Fine, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, stated that the proposal is driven by pressing national security interests in the Arctic. He emphasized, 'Greenland is not a distant outpost we can afford to ignore — it is a vital national security asset.' Fine further argued that control over Greenland is crucial for managing key Arctic sea lanes and bolstering the security architecture protecting the United States, particularly against the growing influence of adversaries like China and Russia in the region.

Strategic Importance and Historical Context

The U.S. interest in Greenland is not new, with historical records indicating previous attempts to acquire the island, notably an offer by President Harry S. Truman in 1946 and renewed discussions during the first Trump administration. Greenland, the world's largest island, holds immense strategic value due to its geographical position at the intersection of North America, Europe, and the Arctic. It plays a critical role in U.S. and NATO early-warning and missile defense systems, with the long-standing presence of Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) established under a 1951 agreement with Denmark.

Beyond its military significance, Greenland is also rich in critical minerals, which are increasingly important for modern defense projects and technologies, and could reduce U.S. reliance on foreign sources.

Greenland's Status and International Reaction

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with its own self-government established in 1979 and expanded autonomy in 2009. However, Denmark retains authority over foreign policy, defense, and security. The island has a population of approximately 56,000 people.

Past proposals for U.S. acquisition have been met with clear rejection from both Greenlandic and Danish officials. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and other party leaders have previously stated, 'We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders.' Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has also urged the U.S. to cease 'threatening' to seize Greenland, highlighting the potential strain on the NATO alliance.

Path to Statehood Outlined

The 'Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act' is a two-page bill that would authorize the President to negotiate with Denmark for the acquisition of Greenland. Following a successful acquisition, the legislation mandates that the President submit a report to Congress detailing the necessary changes to federal law required to admit Greenland as a U.S. state. The bill specifies that statehood would follow the adoption of a constitution for Greenland that is republican in form and consistent with the U.S. Constitution.