Political leaders and experts are urging Congress to assert its constitutional authority in response to President Donald Trump’s ongoing insistence on acquiring Greenland. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are increasingly vocal about the need to curb what they describe as the president’s “madness” regarding this issue.
Trump has expressed interest in annexing Greenland since his first term, a proposal that Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen previously labeled as absurd in 2019. Since returning to office in 2023, Trump has intensified his rhetoric, claiming that the acquisition is of “strategic importance” for the United States and even suggesting that military action could be considered if necessary. His approach has raised alarms among experts and lawmakers who believe Congress must exercise its Article I powers to prevent any unilateral actions by the executive branch.
Jason Furman, former U.S. Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Obama, emphasized the urgency of Congress reclaiming its authority, particularly regarding fiscal policy. He stated, “The economy and our country more broadly would be well served if there were not this one dramatic exception to the general rule that fiscal policy, including tax rates, is set based on laws passed by 535 people, not the whims of one person.”
Calls for action have included suggestions that Congress could “stop this madness tomorrow” by reinstating its power to manage tariffs and other economic measures. Some lawmakers have gone so far as to discuss the possibility of impeachment proceedings based on Trump’s increasingly erratic behavior.
Representative Don Bacon highlighted the absurdity of the situation, noting that negotiating with allies should not involve threats of force. “It’s unacceptable if Greenland refuses to be part of the United States,” he mentioned, reflecting a growing concern among Republicans about Trump’s approach. Bacon characterized the president’s statements as “about the dumbest thing I’ve heard” and expressed a belief that such rhetoric could ultimately undermine Trump’s presidency.
Senator Ed Markey suggested invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, citing his communications with foreign leaders as a cause for concern. The amendment, which has been employed only four times in U.S. history, allows for the removal of a president who is unable to perform their duties.
In a recent interview, Furman warned that Trump’s fixation on Greenland could damage the Republican Party’s credibility in international relations. He stated, “Credibility once lost is not easily restored.” Concerns have been raised about how this could affect future negotiations as world leaders might be skeptical of Republican commitments to alliances and shared values.
A bipartisan congressional delegation recently traveled to Denmark to reassure its leaders that not all U.S. lawmakers support Trump’s rhetoric. Among the group were Senators Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski, both of whom have previously criticized the administration’s stance. Tillis underscored the importance of maintaining respect for sovereign nations, stating, “The actual execution of anything that would involve a taking of a sovereign territory would be met with pretty substantial opposition in Congress.”
Despite the rising tension, Trump has maintained that Congress is not needed for his ambitions, claiming that he “doesn’t need anything more from Congress” following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This sentiment has led to anxiety among lawmakers who fear unilateral executive actions on significant foreign policy and military matters.
Concerns extend beyond Greenland; some Republicans have voiced opposition to Trump’s recent decisions regarding artificial intelligence technology sales to China, particularly with regard to national security implications. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast expressed his intent to prevent the sale of advanced AI chips to Chinese military companies, emphasizing the risks of intellectual property theft.
As the situation continues to unfold, the call for Congress to reclaim its powers becomes more pressing. Lawmakers are increasingly aware of the need to uphold the balance of power in the face of alarming executive overreach, particularly regarding sensitive international relations.
