President Trump on Sunday announced the appointment of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as U.S. special envoy to Greenland, as his administration simultaneously moves to recall ambassadors and senior diplomats in at least 29 countries as part of an overhaul of U.S. foreign policy.
Landry will serve as special envoy to Greenland, the vast, semi-autonomous Danish territory that President Trump has repeatedly said the United States needs to take over for strategic and security reasons. Announcing the appointment, Trump said, “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.”
President Trump raised the prospect of U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland during his presidential transition and again in the early months of his return to the White House, citing the island’s mineral wealth and strategic Arctic location. In August, Danish officials summoned the U.S. ambassador after reports that at least three individuals connected to Trump were involved in covert influence operations in Greenland.
Landry welcomed the role in a post on X, writing, “It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.” He added, “This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!”
The Greenland announcement comes as President Trump recalls dozens of ambassadors and senior diplomats appointed under the Biden administration. Chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were notified last week that their tenures would end in January, according to two State Department officials cited by The Telegraph.
Sources: AP News / The Telegraph
