U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Louisiana’s governor as Washington’s special envoy to Greenland, reigniting a fight over the fate of the Arctic island. 

Trump, who has long expressed his desire to make self-ruling Danish territory Greenland a part of the U.S., said on his social media platform Truth Social late Sunday that he had appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry “as the United States Special Envoy to Greenland.” 

“Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World,” Trump wrote. 

Landry, a Republican who has been in office since early 2024, called the “volunteer position” an “honor” in a post on social media and said he would work to “make Greenland a part of the U.S.” 

“This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!” he added. 

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen posted a statement about the appointment on social media, saying “it may seem like a lot” but urging calm and reiterating Greenland’s right to self-determination. 

“We will shape our own future,” he added. “Greenland is ours, and our borders will be respected.” 

Copenhagen, which retains some authority on matters of foreign policy and security for Greenland, reacted with fury to Trump’s announcement. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told local media he was “deeply outraged” and would summon U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Ken Howery. 

Asked about Landry’s appointment, European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said protecting the “inviolability” of Denmark and Greenland’s borders is “essential for the European Union.”

Shortly after taking office in January, Trump declared he would take over the vast Arctic island, which is replete with vast caches of largely unmined rare earths, and refused to rule out sending troops or using economic pressure to conquer it.  

He has repeated his threat several times, vowing the U.S. would take control of Greenland “one way or the other,” with his remarks triggering a diplomatic frenzy in Europe.