Alaska Faces a Tough Choice Over Trump’s Greenland Plan

The idea that President Trump might use the military to take over Greenland is not just a headline; it would be a serious act of war against Denmark, a NATO partner, and the people who live there. In the United States, only Congress has the authority to declare war under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. The president can direct troops once a war is legally declared, but cannot unilaterally start one. This constitutional rule means that any move to seize Greenland would violate the limits set on executive power and, by extension, disrespect the people who elected those leaders. All U. S. officers swear to defend the Constitution and obey lawful orders. The Uniform Code of Military Justice requires them to follow only those orders that are legal. If a president issued an order to invade Greenland, soldiers would be in conflict with their oath and the law. Refusing such an order is a difficult moral decision that could end careers, break unit cohesion, and strain friendships. A democratic society must not leave its military to face this test alone; it signals a failure of political leadership.Alaska’s role is pivotal. The state hosts the Army’s 11th Airborne Division, a top Arctic combat unit, and its National Guard is specially trained for cold environments. If the president pushes forward, Alaskan troops would likely be called up and forced into a dangerous ethical dilemma. The state’s senators and representatives can act to protect their soldiers by making clear that any use of force against Greenland or Denmark without congressional approval is illegal. Clear congressional action would give service members a legal shield and uphold the nation’s commitment to rule of law. Senator Lisa Murkowski has already introduced the NATO Unity Protection Act, which would bar federal spending on attacks against any NATO member without Congress’s consent. Her colleagues in Alaska could join her stance, demonstrating the same moral courage expected of military personnel daily.