The US Pentagon is poised to shift its oversight of Greenland from European Command to U.S. Northern Command, a move that aligns with President Donald Trump’s pledge to take control over the autonomous Danish territory. The change could help the US broaden its missile shield and provide more radars for coverage.
The plan would put Greenland under the jurisdiction of Northcom, which is responsible for overseeing security in North America. This move has been months in the making and is part of a broader review of the Unified Command Plan, which outlines areas of responsibility for six geographic combatant commanders.
The shift is symbolic, as Denmark and the semi-autonomous Faroe Islands will remain under European Command. Greenland’s 58,000 inhabitants and the Danish government have expressed concern over Trump’s repeated calls to take control of the island.
Critics argue that this move could worry Europe and has been met with caution from NATO leaders. The alliance’s secretary general, Mark Rutte, says that while Trump’s comments on Arctic security are a positive development, further action is needed to address Russian and Chinese moves in the region.
The US has long had a military presence on Greenland, but this shift could cleave the island from Denmark when it comes to policy discussions at the Pentagon and White House. The move opens up possibilities for adding more missile defense systems and expanding sensors on the island.
Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/02/pentagon-greenland-northern-command-00381223