• Denmark confirms 1952 rule requiring immediate counter-attack without awaiting orders
• White House says utilizing US military for Greenland ‘always an option’
• European leaders warn US takeover would mark effective end of NATO alliance

COPENHAGEN, DK (TDR) — Denmark’s defense ministry confirmed Wednesday that a Cold War-era military rule authorizing soldiers to “shoot first and ask questions later” in response to any invasion remains in force, as tensions escalate over President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to acquire Greenland by military force if necessary.

The 1952 rule requires Danish forces to immediately counter-attack invading forces without waiting for orders, even if commanders are unaware of a declaration of war. The Danish Defense Ministry confirmed to Berlingske, a center-right Danish newspaper, that “the order on precautionary measures for military defense in the event of attacks on the country and during war, remains in force.”

The timing of the disclosure follows escalating rhetoric from the White House about potentially using military action to gain control of the Arctic territory, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but enjoys self-governance.

White House Says Military ‘Always an Option’

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Tuesday that President Trump views acquiring Greenland as a national security priority vital to deterring adversaries in the Arctic region.

“The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal.”

The statement was issued shortly after seven European leaders — from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom — released a joint declaration defending Greenland’s sovereignty.

“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

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Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that the United States needs Greenland for national security purposes, citing Russian and Chinese activities in the region.

“Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.”

European Allies Rally Behind Denmark

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Governor General Mary Simon, who is of Inuit descent, and Foreign Minister Anita Anand would visit Greenland early next month. Nordic foreign ministers from Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark also issued a statement stressing Greenland’s right to decide its own affairs.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned Monday that a US military attack on Greenland could effectively end the NATO alliance. She said Trump’s desires should be “taken seriously” despite Greenland’s status as NATO territory.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told reporters Wednesday that European countries want to take action together if the US moves to seize Greenland from ally Denmark.

“We want to take action, but we want to do so together with our European partners.”

Barrot suggested he received assurances from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Washington was not planning an invasion.

“I myself was on the phone yesterday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who confirmed that this was not the approach taken, he ruled out the possibility of an invasion.”

However, those assurances appear to contradict Leavitt’s Tuesday statement that military action remains an option.

Strategic Importance of Greenland

Greenland, the world’s largest island with a population of approximately 57,000 people, occupies a strategic location between Europe and North America. The territory hosts the US’s Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile warning and missile defense operations.

The island’s mineral wealth includes rich deposits of oil, gas and rare earth minerals, aligning with Washington’s ambition to reduce reliance on Chinese exports. Senior White House aide Stephen Miller said Monday that the US “should have Greenland as part of the United States” and refused to rule out taking control by force.

“Nobody’s going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.”

Miller asserted during a CNN interview.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) told reporters Tuesday that NATO countries would “of course” have to defend Greenland against the US if necessary under Article 5 provisions.

“That’s what Article 5 says. Article 5 did not anticipate that the invading country would be a member of NATO. We’re laughing, but this is not actually something to laugh about now because I think he’s increasingly serious.”

Congressional Pushback from Both Parties

Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) announced Tuesday he would introduce a resolution in Congress to block Trump from invading Greenland.

“Trump is telling us exactly what he wants to do. We must stop him before he invades another country on a whim.”

Republican Representative Don Bacon, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, urged the administration to “stop the stupid ‘we want Greenland BS'” and called on other Republicans to “universally oppose” any military action.

“This is appalling. Greenland is a NATO ally. We have a base on Greenland. We could put four or five bases on Greenland; they wouldn’t mind that. They are a proven ally, so the way we are treating them is really demeaning, and it has no upside.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters Wednesday he hasn’t heard talk of sending the military into Greenland and believes the US is “looking at diplomatic channels.”

“We’re not at war with Greenland. We have no intention — we have no reason to be at war with Greenland.”

Greenland and Denmark Reject Acquisition

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed European leaders’ pledge of solidarity and renewed his call to the US for “respectful dialogue.” Greenland’s government has repeatedly stated it does not want to be part of the United States.

Denmark rejected Trump’s assertion that it cannot protect Greenland. Ulrik Pram Gad, a global security expert at the Danish Institute for International Studies, questioned Trump’s characterization of Russian and Chinese presence in the region.

The Washington Post reported Wednesday that US officials were increasingly discussing a takeover of Greenland with European counterparts as a “concrete” possibility. A senior European diplomat told the newspaper there had been a marked shift in tone on the issue in recent days.

Venezuela Operation Heightens Concerns

Concerns about potential US action intensified following last weekend’s military operation in Venezuela, where the US used fighter jets, attack helicopters and special forces to abduct President Nicolás Maduro and bring him to New York City for trial on drug trafficking charges.

Dominique de Villepin, former French prime minister, warned that if the US invaded Greenland, it would become an “enemy” of Europe’s NATO members.

“In no case should Europe accept any damage to European sovereignty. And of course if Donald Trump goes forward, the status of the US will go from adversary or rival to the one of enemy. It’ll be a huge historical change.”

A German government source told Reuters that Germany was “closely working together with other European countries and Denmark on the next steps regarding Greenland.”

Can a 1952 military rule designed to protect against Soviet aggression now be invoked against a NATO ally, or will diplomatic channels prevail in resolving escalating tensions over Greenland’s future?

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