In a surprising fracture within the Republican Party, several GOP lawmakers are breaking ranks to openly warn that President Donald Trump’s escalating rhetoric on seizing Greenland could trigger his third impeachment. This development marks a rare public dissent against Trump, highlighting growing unease over his foreign policy brinkmanship and its potential to alienate key allies.
Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, a five-term Republican not seeking reelection, has emerged as a vocal critic, labeling Trump’s threats of a military takeover as “utter buffoonery” and a “disastrous idea.” In an interview with the Omaha World-Herald, Bacon candidly stated that if Trump follows through on invading the Arctic territory—a self-governing part of Denmark and a NATO ally—it “would be the end of his presidency.” He added, “I’ll be candid with you. There’s so many Republicans mad about this,” suggesting widespread discontent within the party ranks.
Bacon, who previously voted against both of Trump’s earlier impeachments during his first term, emphasized that such an invasion would be “catastrophic” to U.S. alliances. “It would be a total mistake to invade an ally. It’s just the worst idea ever in my view,” he told the outlet. While stopping short of committing fully to an impeachment vote, Bacon indicated he would “lean toward” supporting removal from office if military action materializes, hinting at potential bipartisan support in the House.
This isn’t isolated criticism. Senate Republicans have also vowed to block any White House efforts to seize Greenland by force, underscoring the party’s reluctance to endorse Trump’s aggressive stance. Polling data reinforces the unpopularity of the idea, with only four percent of Americans favoring a military takeover. Bacon’s comments come amid reports of the White House preparing contingency plans, including military options, to gain control of Greenland’s vast mineral resources and strategic Arctic position—resources Trump has described as essential for national security.
The controversy echoes Trump’s 2019 proposal to purchase Greenland, which was swiftly rebuffed by Danish officials. Now, in his second term, Trump has doubled down, stating that anything less than full U.S. control is “unacceptable.” Critics argue this could fracture NATO alliances and invite conflict with Denmark, a longtime U.S. partner. “He needs to know: The off-ramp is realizing Republicans aren’t going to tolerate this and he’s going to have to back off,” Bacon urged.
Online discussions, particularly on platforms like Reddit, reflect skepticism about whether this represents a true red line for Republicans. One user in a moderate politics forum questioned, “We’ve heard many times that Republicans would turn against Trump if he does something only for them to fall in line. Is this actually a red line?” Others accused the party of historical revisionism, pointing to Trump’s past foreign policy decisions.
As tensions mount, the White House has yet to respond directly to Bacon’s remarks. However, Trump’s allies have dismissed the criticism as overblown, framing the Greenland push as a bold move against rivals like China and Russia, who are expanding their Arctic presence. Denmark, meanwhile, has bolstered its military footprint on the island in response to the threats.
This internal GOP revolt could signal broader implications for Trump’s agenda, especially with midterm elections approaching. If more Republicans echo Bacon’s sentiments, it might force the president to recalibrate—or risk a constitutional crisis. For now, the Greenland standoff serves as a stark reminder of the limits even a commanding figure like Trump faces within his own party.
