Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina delivered a strong rebuke on the Senate floor on January 7, 2026, targeting White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller’s recent statements suggesting the United States should take control of Greenland. Tillis described the comments as “absurd” and called for better advice to President Donald Trump, emphasizing the importance of U.S. alliances within NATO.
The exchange began on January 5, 2026, during a CNN interview with Jake Tapper, where Miller discussed the U.S. position on Greenland following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Miller stated, “It has been the formal position of the U.S. government since the beginning of this administration… that Greenland should be part of the United States.” He questioned Denmark’s claim, asking, “By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?” When pressed on whether military force was off the table, Miller declined to rule it out, saying, “The United States is the power of NATO… Obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States.”
In response, on January 7, Tillis, who co-chairs the Senate NATO Observer Group and is not seeking re-election, addressed the Senate. He criticized Miller’s remarks, saying, “Mr. Miller said that the US government – obviously Greenland should be part of the US. That is absurd.” Tillis highlighted Denmark’s contributions to NATO, noting that despite a population of about 6 million, Denmark lost 43 soldiers in Afghanistan post-9/11. He added, “What makes me cranky? Stupid. What makes me cranky is when people don’t do their homework. What makes me cranky is when we tarnish the extraordinary execution of a mission I fully support in Venezuela by turning around and making insane comments about how it is our right to have territory owned by the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Tillis further stated, “Folks, amateur hour is over. You don’t speak on behalf of this US senator or the Congress.” He urged providing the president with sound advice, saying, “I’m sick of stupid. I want good advice for this president, because I want this president to have a good legacy. And this nonsense on what’s going on with Greenland is a distraction from the good work he’s doing, and the amateurs who said it was a good idea should lose their jobs.”
Later that day, in a joint statement with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Tillis reiterated, “When Denmark and Greenland make it clear that Greenland is not for sale, the United States must honor its treaty obligations and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
What people are saying
- Sen. Thom Tillis, on the Senate floor: “Some people around here call me cranky… You know what makes me cranky? Stupid… We tarnish the extraordinary execution of a mission I fully support in Venezuela by turning around and making insane comments about how it is our right to have territory owned by the Kingdom of Denmark.” “Amateur hour is over. You don’t speak on behalf of this US senator or the Congress.” “I’m sick of stupid. I want good advice for this president, because I want this president to have a good legacy.”
- Stephen Miller, in CNN interview with Jake Tapper: “The president has been clear for months now that the United States should be the nation that has Greenland as part of our overall security apparatus.” “What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?… Obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States.”
- Danish Prime Minister, as quoted in the CNN interview: “I believe one should take the American president seriously when he says that he wants Greenland… But I will also make it clear that if the U.S. chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including NATO and thus the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War.”
What happens next
The White House has not issued a direct response to Tillis’ criticisms. Potential developments include further statements from administration officials clarifying U.S. policy on Greenland or additional reactions from Congress, which could influence ongoing discussions about NATO commitments and Arctic strategy.
