U.S. intelligence agencies have reportedly been instructed to increase surveillance on Greenland and those supporting the self-governing island’s independence.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued the directive to the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, and Defense Intelligence Agency last week.
The objective is to gather intelligence on individuals in Greenland and Denmark who back the island’s independence or are open to the idea of the U.S. taking control. Agencies were also directed to monitor public sentiment regarding U.S. efforts to extract minerals from Greenland.
The intelligence tools to be used may include satellites, intercepted communications, and human sources.
In response to the Journal’s report, Gabbard accused the paper of jeopardizing national security, stating: “They are breaking the law and undermining our nation’s security and democracy.”
The news follows President Donald Trump’s recent statement, where he left open the possibility of using force to take control of Greenland. Speaking to NBC News, Trump said: “We need Greenland very badly. Greenland has a very small population, which we’ll take care of and cherish, but we need it for international security.”
While the U.S. has not officially confirmed the surveillance order, Denmark, which oversees Greenland’s foreign policy, has strongly reacted to the reports.
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he would summon the U.S. ambassador to address the report, saying, “it worries me a lot, because we don’t spy between friends.”
Greenland, with a population of about 56,000, has been under Danish control for approximately 300 years. While it manages its own domestic affairs, defense and international matters are handled by Denmark. The U.S. has maintained a military base on the island since World War II.
