ORL Statement Upholding the Rule of Law and Peace Through Strength in U.S. Relations with Sovereign Nations

The issue. Recent statements by President Trump suggesting that the United States “needs” Greenland and should “take over” Greenland to advance U.S. security and commercial interests have raised legitimate concerns both at home and abroad about how the United States engages with foreign nations, both our allies and adversaries.

The President’s provocative and unhelpful comments about his “America First” interests in Greenland, a self-governing part of the sovereign Kingdom of Denmark, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), is a case in point. Denmark and Greenland have made clear that Greenland is not for sale at any price. While Greenland’s geostrategic location in the Arctic and its natural resources undoubtedly hold significant relevance for U.S. national security and economic strategy, the manner in which these interests are articulated and pursued must remain consistent with U.S. values, international law, and longstanding alliances.

The dangerous suggestion of acquiring territory under the jurisdiction of another sovereign state by threat or force—especially a valued NATO ally such as Denmark—undermines the rule of law, the credibility of the United States as a principled global leader, and the position of the United States as a trusted ally in NATO’s trans-Atlantic security and military alliance. Provocative public remarks and insinuations of coercion by President Trump and others in his administration, whether directed toward Copenhagen or Nuuk, risk eroding the mutual respect that has underpinned U.S.–Danish cooperation since the founding of NATO in the aftermath of World War II. They also create unnecessary friction within the Alliance at a time when great power competition and emerging security challenges in the Arctic and Europe from Russia directly and China indirectly demand collective resolve by historic allies.

Peace through strength—the cornerstone of U.S. defense and foreign policy—derives not from unilateral threats or disregard for the sovereignty of others, but from the disciplined exercise of lawful power, moral credibility, and respect for alliances. Peace through strength is best served by reinforcing partnerships through diplomatic, economic, and security agreements and the democratic order that sustains them, rather than by engaging in rhetoric that suggests imperial, unilateral ambitions or dismisses the legitimate autonomy of other sovereign nations as guaranteed by the United Nations Charter, a binding multilateral treaty to which the United States is a signatory.

Furthermore, the Constitution clearly vests in Congress the authority to regulate commerce, make treaties, and declare war. While the President serves, temporarily, in the chief executive role in conducting foreign relations, those powers remain subject to legislative checks and balances. Principally, they are intended to be authorized by Congress, and with the approval by the Senate, treaties constitutionally become the “supreme law of the land” under the Supremacy Clause.

President Trump’s recent threats that he will do what he “has to do” to take over Greenland and his statement that the engagement of the military “is always an option” implies unilateral territorial or forceful acquisition of Greenland – and other countries beyond Venezuela including Colombia, Mexico, and Cuba –  which would inescapably disengage the United States from treaty obligations and binding commitments approved by Congress. Such actions would not only exceed his executive authority, they would also destroy the equilibrium purposely infused into the Constitution by the Founders. In addition, the President’s flippant statements concerning the nonconsensual acquisition of Greenland flagrantly ignore his Constitutional obligation to “take care” in assuring that the laws and treaties of the United States are “faithfully executed.”

The rule of law and peace through strength are inextricably interwoven principles. America’s security, prosperity, and moral authority depend upon demonstrating that power can be exercised responsibly, within legal and constitutional bounds. By restoring restraint and reaffirming respect for allies, the United States not only strengthens its leadership position in global affairs, it also honors the constitutional and moral foundations that have long been the true and essential source of the nation’s strength and democratic society operating in accordance the Rule of Law.

ORL policy position. Our Republican Legacy was founded in part on the principles of support for the Rule of Law under the U.S. Constitution and securing peace through strength for our society. These principles are the foundation for how the United States engages with foreign friends and allies as well as our adversaries and enemies. We strongly oppose President Trump’s public threats and unnecessary acts of aggression against other sovereign nations, including our neighbors in this hemisphere with whom we have had long-standing engagement over time through trade, investment, commerce, and other bilateral and multilateral agreements.

ORL recommended actions. In light of the President’s ongoing provocative and sometimes inane statements and illegal actions against other sovereign nations, Our Republican Legacy strongly supports four recommendations.

1. Cease and Desist Provocative Statements. The President should immediately cease and desist from further statements or actions suggesting a U.S. territorial claim over any other sovereign nation or territory, including but not limited to Greenland, as well as halt any additional public disparagement of Denmark, Greenland, or NATO. Such arrogant and discourteous commentary undermines American credibility, strains alliances critical to Arctic and global security, and contradicts the principles of lawful international conduct. The White House should reaffirm the United States’ respect for the sovereignty and territory of all nations, including but not limited to Danish sovereignty and Greenland’s self-governing status within the Kingdom of Denmark.
   

2. Reaffirm U.S. Commitment to NATO and Cooperative Security. The Trump administration should publicly restate its full commitment to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty and to the peaceful, collective defense framework it embodies. A clear articulation of this commitment now will assure allies and deter adversaries, demonstrating that U.S. strength is grounded in mutual trust and lawful action, not coercion and needlessly demeaning statements nor actual threats of aggression.
   

3. Reassert Congress’s Constitutional Authority. Given President Trump’s continuing threatening and bellicose statements, Congress should immediately reassert its singular constitutional role under Article I for declaring war by adopting a joint, bipartisan resolution clarifying that any acquisition of foreign territory, modification of treaty obligations, or action risking the dissolution of U.S. alliances, such as NATO or the Organization of American States (OAS), must receive explicit legislative authorization. Congress should immediately pass legislation, as redundant as it seems, that the United States will not engage in military actions violating the sovereignty of United States allies nor any treaty obligation voluntarily entered into by the United States. Congress should launch public oversight hearings to evaluate executive adherence to international law and alliance commitments and reaffirm the security and economic benefits of peaceful international engagement with other nations.
   

4. Strengthen Lawful Engagement in the Arctic. The United States should focus its Arctic policy on diplomatic engagement, scientific cooperation, increased communication, robust intelligence sharing, and lawful economic partnerships with not only Denmark and Greenland, but also Canada and  other nations in the Arctic. Sustaining peace and stability in the Arctic requires collaboration, transparency, and adherence to international agreements and diplomatic engagement.