A surprising new national poll shows that Republicans are breaking sharply with President Donald Trump on one sensitive issue: the use of military force to gain control of Greenland.
While many conservatives continue to support Trump’s tough stance on foreign policy and national security, the data suggests there is little appetite inside the GOP for any military confrontation involving U.S. allies.
Poll Shows Strong Opposition to Military Action
According to newly released polling from CBS News and YouGov, conducted between January 14 and January 16, overwhelming majorities across all political groups oppose using force to take Greenland.
Among Republicans, 70 percent said they oppose military action. Opposition rises to 90 percent among independents and 97 percent among Democrats. Overall, 86 percent of U.S. adults rejected the idea outright.
The findings come as tensions have increased between Washington, Denmark, and America’s allies within NATO, following Trump’s repeated warnings that U.S. control of Greenland is essential to national security.
Republicans Open to Purchase — Not Conflict
While military force is widely rejected, Republicans appear far more receptive to a diplomatic or financial solution.
The survey found that 64 percent of Republicans support the idea of the U.S. purchasing Greenland using federal funds. By contrast, 75 percent of independents and 96 percent of Democrats oppose any such deal.
Across all voters, 70 percent oppose purchasing Greenland, underscoring how controversial the issue remains even without the threat of force.
The poll surveyed 2,523 U.S. adults and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.
Trump Signals Economic Pressure Instead
President Trump has declined to rule out military options, responding with “no comment” when asked directly by reporters. However, he has increasingly emphasized economic pressure rather than armed action.
Over the weekend, Trump announced plans to impose a 10 percent tariff beginning February 1, rising to 25 percent by June 1, on Denmark and several other European countries if they oppose U.S. efforts to acquire Greenland.
The proposed measures would apply to Denmark along with Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland.
National Security Argument Drives White House Position
Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland holds critical strategic value, citing concerns about growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic region.
Speaking earlier this month aboard Air Force One, he warned that the U.S. would not tolerate foreign military presence near key Arctic shipping lanes or American defense interests.
Danish officials, however, dispute that assessment. Military leaders in Denmark say they do not currently see an imminent threat from Russia or China, though they continue long-term defense planning.
GOP Lawmakers Warn of NATO Consequences
Some Republican lawmakers have cautioned that escalating the issue could have serious consequences.
Rep. Michael McCaul warned that any military action against Greenland could undermine NATO’s Article 5 commitments and risk a broader international crisis.
He noted that the U.S. already maintains extensive military access in Greenland for defensive purposes and argued that diplomacy or negotiation would be far less destabilizing.
Europe Pushes Back as Talks Continue
European nations responded to Trump’s tariff warning with a joint statement defending Denmark and warning that economic retaliation could strain trans-Atlantic relations.
Meanwhile, officials from France and Germany are meeting with European counterparts to coordinate a response as negotiations continue behind the scenes.
A White House official told Politico that the president remains confident Greenland’s strategic importance justifies strong U.S. action and believes closer ties would benefit the island’s residents.
Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, rejected that claim, saying Greenland will not be pressured and remains committed to dialogue and international law.
Bottom Line for Voters
The polling sends a clear message: Republicans may support toughness, but not war. While Trump’s negotiating tactics still resonate with conservative voters, military force against a U.S. ally appears to be a line most Republicans are unwilling to cross.