By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Recent polling from CBS News and YouGov indicates widespread opposition among Democrats, independents, and Republicans to President Trump using military force to take control of Greenland. The survey found that a vast majority of U.S. adults, 86 percent, disapprove of military intervention. Trump has also threatened tariffs on several European nations that oppose the U.S. acquiring Greenland. This situation has led to an emergency meeting of EU leaders and a joint statement from allied nations condemning the U.S.’s actions.
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Republicans overwhelmingly against Trump using military to take Greenland, as the surveys show, might seem like a unifying moment in an otherwise divided political landscape. The polling data is clear: a significant majority of Republicans, along with Democrats and Independents, oppose the use of military force against Greenland, a peaceful ally. That kind of widespread consensus on a foreign policy issue is certainly unusual. But the question is: what actions, if any, will Republican politicians take to back up their stated opposition? The sentiment expressed is that talk is cheap.
Many observers are skeptical of the sincerity of Republican opposition. The worry is that while public statements may express disapproval, the actual actions of Republican leaders tell a different story. Historically, Republicans have been criticized for supporting Trump, even when his actions have been widely condemned. The fear is that their opposition to military action in Greenland is merely symbolic. They fear that, as the history books would tell it, they’ll fall in line and defend it the moment he decides to proceed.
The concerns extend beyond the immediate issue of Greenland. Some commenters express deep skepticism about the entire Republican party, arguing they’re complicit in Trump’s actions and policies. This viewpoint suggests that the Greenland situation is simply another example of the Republican party enabling Trump’s “batshit lunacy,” as one commentator puts it. The accusation is that they’re more concerned with maintaining power and following party lines than with the best interests of the country, or defending their allies.
The potential consequences of military action against Greenland are dire, as many have pointed out. Such a move would likely trigger a global backlash, damage international relations, destabilize world markets, and undermine the U.S.’s standing on the global stage. It is an act of economic terrorism that cannot be done. It could also lead to a military conflict with NATO and its allies, putting American lives at risk and causing a cascade of negative effects that would take generations to recover from.
The proposed responses to a potential invasion are many and varied. Some commentators advocate for immediate impeachment and removal of Trump from office. This would be a clear and decisive action, sending a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated. Others suggest that the 25th Amendment should be invoked, as it can be used to remove a President deemed unfit for office. There is much to be done to ensure he is removed from office.
Many believe that the silence of Republican leaders is deafening. The fact is that a vocal minority can hold an entire planet hostage. Their inaction, as many perceive it, speaks volumes. They are not doing all they can to avoid this scenario. Those who remain silent, knowing the dangers, are seen as equally responsible as the leaders who are threatening to take the action.
The political dynamics at play are complex. Some believe that Republicans are more concerned about the political consequences of opposing Trump than about the potential for war. Confronting Trump, many fear, could be politically damaging. This calculation, however, puts the party’s self-interest above the interests of the country and its allies, critics say. It is the type of political dynamic that is destructive to the nation and the world.
There’s a sense that the situation with Greenland is a microcosm of a larger problem. The repeated claims by Republicans of their opposition to Trump’s actions, even while consistently supporting and empowering him, create a crisis of credibility. Actions, as the saying goes, speak louder than words.
There’s a prevailing distrust of the motives of Republican politicians. They suggest that their opposition to Trump’s proposed military action is likely to vanish the moment Trump decides to invade Greenland. Some even believe that those who now oppose the idea will change their minds in order to fall in line with their party’s leadership.
Some see the situation as a manifestation of a deeper problem: the erosion of democratic norms and values. Trump’s actions are seen as a threat to the rule of law and the stability of the international order. There is a concern that if the United States is led by a dictatorship, then there is no hope for the rest of the world.