BBC - Trump faces Venezuela war powers vote as Danish
official says there’s ‘fundamental disagreement’
over Greenland
What we're covering
• Tensions over Greenland: Leaders from Denmark and Greenland said a “fundamental disagreement” persists with the Trump administration over the future of the territory following their meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Today’s meeting came after President Donald Trump said “anything less” than US control of Greenland is “unacceptable.”
• Venezuela war powers vote: The Senate is expected t Tensions over Greenland: Leaders from Denmark and Greenland said a “fundamental disagreement” persists with the Trump administration over the future of the territory following their meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Today’s meeting came after President Donald o take another procedural vote on limiting Trump’s war powers in Venezuela today. The measure advanced last week with five GOP votes, but the administration has launched a pressure campaign to try to flip some of those senators.
• DOJ probe into Fed chair: White House officials are heaping blame on DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro over her office’s criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, sources tell CNN. Trump said yesterday he hopes Powell will “be out of there soon.”
Sweden sends troops to Greenland at Denmark's request
Sweden sent an unspecified number of troops to Greenland today following Denmark’s request to do so, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on X.
He said the Swedish officers will be part of a group of troops from other allied countries who will together prepare for an upcoming exercise called Operation Arctic Endurance, he said.
The Danish Defense Ministry said earlier that it was increasing military presence in Greenland due to “security tensions.”
Germany sending 13 military personnel to Greenland tomorrow, defense ministry says
Germany is sending a “reconnaissance team” of 13 military personnel to Greenland tomorrow for “an exploration mission” from January 15 to 17, the German Defense Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.
“At Denmark’s invitation, Germany will participate in an exploration mission in Greenland from January 15 to 17, 2026, together with other European nations,” the statement said.
“Tomorrow morning, the Bundeswehr (German armed forces) will send a reconnaissance team of 13 Bundeswehr personnel to Nuuk in Greenland on an Airbus A400M transport aircraft,” the statement continued. “The on-site reconnaissance will take place together with representatives of other partner nations.”
Germany joins Sweden and Norway in placing military personnel in Greenland this week, as US President Donald Trump continues to argue that the territory ought to join the United States.
Denmark and Greenland say there is still a 'fundamental disagreement' with US
The United States, Denmark and Greenland have decided to form “a high-level working group to explore if we can find a common way forward” as a “fundamental disagreement” with the Trump administration persists over the future of the island which is a self-governing territory of Denmark, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Wednesday.
Rasmussen said he and his Greenlandic colleague had “a frank but also constructive discussion” with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance earlier on Wednesday, but their “perspectives continue to differ.”
“We agreed that it makes sense to try to sit down on a high level to explore whether there’s possibilities to accommodate the concerns of the president while we at the same time, respect the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark. So this is the work we will start,” he added.
Rasmussen said the discussions with the top Trump administration officials “focused on how to ensure the long-term security in Greenland.”
“I must say, the president has made his view clear, and we have a different position,” he said, noting that Denmark continues to believe that the long-term security “can be ensured inside the current framework.”
“Ideas that would not respect territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of self-determination of the Greenlandic people are, of course, totally unacceptable,” he said at a press conference in Washington, DC.
“We therefore still have a fundamental disagreement, but we also agree to disagree, and therefore we will, however, continue to talk,” he said.
The working group is expected to meet for the first time “within a matter of weeks,” Rasmussen said.
Danish official says there is "cautious optimism” following White House meeting
There is “cautious optimism,” following the meeting on Greenland at the White House Wednesday morning, a Danish diplomatic source told CNN. The person added, “it could have been a lot worse,” noting there was no ultimate Trump demand on the table despite recent rhetoric.
The Danish diplomat believes there is a path forward despite President Donald Trump’s comments earlier Wednesday saying that “anything less” than US control of Greenland is “unacceptable,” arguing the United States needs the territory for national security purposes, which could in turn strengthen NATO.
No further details were given on the nature of the conversations that were led by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
UN rights body urges against US takeover of Greenland, citing fears of “colonial domination”
A body of UN experts has backed the right to self-determination for the people of Greenland, following “deep concerns” over US President Donald Trump’s stated intention to take control of the self-governing territory of Denmark.
Any attempt to “modify” Greenland’s territorial or constitutional status would not only violate international law, but could also “undermine” regional stability, the experts, appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council, said in a statement Wednesday.
“Assertions suggesting that a territory can be taken, controlled or ‘owned’ by another state in pursuit of perceived national security or economic interests evoke a logic of colonial domination that the international community has long rejected,” the UN experts said on Wednesday.
They called on US leaders to heed “human dignity and fundamental rights,” cautioning that threats to challenge the autonomy of another state or take a sovereign territory by force are “clearly prohibited.”
“The peoples of Greenland, as a distinct people, are entitled to the full and free exercise of their right to self-determination,” the statement added.
Those warnings echoed a slew of European officials and NATO allies, who collectively affirmed the sovereignty of Greenland and rejected calls by Trump to seize control of the vast Arctic island – where a wealth of mineral riches lies untapped.
Norway sending two defense personnel to Greenland, ministry spokesperson says
Norway is sending two defense personnel to Greenland, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Ministry of Defense has confirmed to CNN.
It comes after the Norwegian Minister of Defense Tore Sandvik told Reuters on Wednesday that the personnel would “map out the further cooperation between (NATO) allies.”
CNN has asked the ministry for further details on who the personnel are and what their exact role will be in Greenland.
Denmark has said it is increasing its military presence in Greenland due to “security tensions” as US President Donald Trump remains insistent that the island join the United States. Also on Wednesday, Sweden’s prime minister said it had sent an unspecified number of troops to the Danish territory for an allied military exercise.
Danish defense minister says it is “unlikely” one NATO nation “would attack” another
The likelihood that the US “would launch an attack” on Greenland is “completely hypothetical,” the Danish defense minister has said, against the backdrop of tensions between the NATO allies.
Troels Lund Poulsen told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday that it was “unlikely that a NATO nation would attack another NATO country.”
Earlier, the government of Greenland – which is a self-governing territory of Denmark – and the Danish defense ministry announced a greater military footprint in and around Greenland from Wednesday, citing “security tensions.”
That followed increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has doubled down on his assertion that acquiring Greenland is crucial for US national security. Greenlanders have told CNN they fear the threatened US takeover.
Hawley flips after Trump pressure campaign on Venezuela war powers
Republican Sen. Josh Hawley said Wednesday he’ll vote to block a resolution to rein in President Donald Trump’s war powers in Venezuela without congressional approval — flipping his position after heavy lobbying from the White House, including Trump himself.
Hawley’s reversal comes after he broke with party leaders last week and voted to advance it — and then found himself at the center of a significant pressure campaign from the president and the administration. Hawley was one of five GOP senators who voted with Democrats to advance the resolution.
The next steps aren’t yet clear: Senate GOP leaders are still attempting to flip another Republican to help kill the measure before it comes up for a final vote, which was expected Wednesday. Sen. Todd Young could be the pivotal vote, but he has not projected his plans.
Hawley, explaining his reversal Wednesday, told reporters that Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent him a letter that was “responsive” to his concerns.
Specifically, Hawley said, Rubio explained that the US currently has no ground troops in Venezuela, and that if the administration sought to put ground troops, it would abide by the War Powers Act and first seek congressional authorization.
He added Rubio told him directly the administration would not put ground troops into Venezuela.
“They do not seek to occupy Venezuela, but his commitment to abide by the War Powers notification procedures and also the Constitution is directly responsive to my concerns, so I’m inclined to take yes for an answer on this,” Hawley said.
We're talking a lot about Greenland today. So what's the territory actually like?
CNN International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson shares what Greenlanders are saying as President Donald Trump demands to take over the country the “easy way” or “hard way.”
Here’s a look at what it’s like in Greenland:
Thune still working to convince at least 2 GOP senators to flip on Trump's war powers ahead of key vote
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he is “uncertain” if efforts by GOP leaders and the White House have persuaded at least two Republican senators to change their positions on a War Powers resolution related to Venezuela that faces a key vote Wednesday.
“Uncertain at this point,” he told reporters. “We’re still having conversation with some of our members.”
He explained that some of the senators – like Todd Young of Indiana – were taking their time carefully weighing a decision.
Thune said it’s clear to him there are no active military actions taking place in the country and he believes the War Powers Act, which enjoys special legislative privileges for consideration, should not be applicable because there aren’t any boots on the ground.
Republican leaders are considering tabling the measure entirely before formal debate begins, something they can only do if at least two of the five Republicans who voted with Democrats on an initial procedural vote change their positions.
“There have been good, I would say, assurance given by the White House about the additional action they might take, which is now out there in the public domain,” he said.
Thune added that the White House has tried to assure senators about the administration’s intentions in Venezuela.
Democrat says he assumes 5 GOP senators “won’t change their mind” today on Trump's war powers
The Democratic senator behind an effort to curb President Donald Trump’s war powers in Venezuela said he believes the Republicans who joined Democrats in advancing a bipartisan resolution to rein in the president will continue to back the measure – despite Trump’s pressure campaign.
Kaine said he made clear the motion wasn’t in opposition to the US operation to oust then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, adding later: “There may be some need in Venezuela, but all we’re saying is, if we need to put our sons and daughters into military action against or within Venezuela, it ought to be approved by Congress, and not just by the president.”
Trump in recent days has waged a public and private pressure campaign seeking to flip the five Republican votes.
“Why would the president decide he wanted to treat Republican senators badly for just voting that we shouldn’t send our sons and daughters into war without a vote of Congress?” Kaine said of Trump’s public attacks.
“I think what the what he’s worried about is he does not want a public debate. That’s why everything so far has been classified, because a public debate starts to get into questions like the legal rationale and some of the other decisions that the White House would prefer to keep hidden,” he added.
Danish and Greenland officials arrive at White House for meeting with Vance and Rubio
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt arrived at the White House moments ago, ahead of their meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
They entered the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Ahead of DC meeting, Denmark and Greenland announce increased Danish military presence in Greenland
The government of Greenland and Denmark’s defense ministry announced there would be an increased military presence in and around Greenland starting today, citing “security tensions.”
Denmark said that as part of this increased presence in the Arctic and the North Atlantic, the Danish Armed Forces were “deploying capacities and units in connection with exercise activities from today, which will result in an increased military presence in and around Greenland of aircraft, ships and soldiers, including from NATO allies, in the coming period.”
It comes as Vice President JD Vance is set to host a meeting today with the Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as President Donald Trump continues to voice his desire to take over the self-governing territory.
Expanded exercise activities in Greenland could include guarding critical infrastructure, providing assistance to Greenlandic authorities, including the police, receiving allied troops, deploying fighter aircraft in and around Greenland, and naval operations, the Danish defense ministry said in a statement.
The Greenlandic government said the purpose of the increased military presence was to “train the ability to operate under the unique Arctic conditions and strengthen the (NATO) alliance’s footprint in the Arctic for the benefit of both European and transatlantic security.”
This post has been updated with additional information.
Trump faces Senate vote seeking to stop further action in Venezuela
The Senate is expected to take another procedural vote today on a war powers resolution, which would rein in President Donald Trump from further actions in Venezuela without Congress’ approval.
The measure advanced last week with five Republican votes, but Trump and his administration have launched an intense pressure campaign to try and flip some of the senators.
Meanwhile, House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats, led by ranking member Rep. Gregory Meeks, are holding a special meeting on Venezuela this morning.
The interim Venezuelan government yesterday freed at least four Americans who were imprisoned in Venezuela, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.
It marks the first known release of American detainees since the ousting of Nicolás Maduro and comes as the interim Venezuelan government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, has begun freeing dozens of political prisoners.
Trump continues to slam Powell as officials criticize Pirro over Fed chair investigation. Here's what to know
Amid the controversial criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, President Donald Trump in remarks to the Detroit Economic Club yesterday again called for interest rates to be lowered.
The White House and senior officials have dismissed the notion that the president had any influence over the Justice Department’s decision to open an investigation into Powell, who has not been charged with a crime.
Here’s the latest surrounding the investigation:
- Trump said yesterday he hopes Powell will “be out of there soon,” while pushing back on a GOP senator who has criticized the probe.
- When asked about the perception of political retribution an interview with CBS News, the president said, “I can’t help what it looks like.”
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune also told CNN that he hopes the Justice Department has a “smoking gun” if they decide to bring charges against Powell.
- White House officials are heaping blame on DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro over the investigation, faulting her for blindsiding them with an inquiry that has forced the administration into a dayslong damage control campaign, four people familiar with the matter told CNN. Read more about the frustration with Pirro.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has told people that he is unhappy with the decision, expressing concern that the decision will negatively impact the markets, according to a source.
Trump says NATO is "more formidable" with Greenland under US control
President Donald Trump said this morning that “anything less” than US control of Greenland is “unacceptable,” arguing the United States needs the territory for national security purposes, which could in turn strengthen NATO.
Trump reiterated his assertion that acquisition of Greenland is essential for the US national security and “vital for the Golden Dome that we are building.” He also argued that NATO leaders should be pushing for the United States to have Greenland.
“NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! Militarily, without the vast power of the United States, much of which I built during my first term, and am now bringing to a new and even higher level, NATO would not be an effective force or deterrent - Not even close! They know that, and so do I,” Trump wrote in the post.
Yesterday, Trump dismissed comments from Greenland’s Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who said at a news conference in Copenhagen that “Greenland does not want to be owned by the USA. Greenland does not want to be governed by the USA. Greenland will not be part of the USA. We choose the Greenland we know today, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
In response, Trump said, “That’s their problem. I disagree with him. I don’t know who he is. Don’t know anything about him, but that’s going to be a big problem for him.”
Trump gave a speech in Detroit yesterday. Here's what he said
President Donald Trump yesterday teased a series of affordability initiatives set to be rolled out in the coming weeks, including a health care framework and new housing policies.
“Later this week, I’ll announce our health care affordability framework that will reduce premiums for millions of lower drug prices, delivering price transparency and demand honesty and accountability from insurance companies all over the country, all over the world,” Trump said in remarks to the Detroit Economic Club.
The president also said more details about a housing plan would come during his appearance at the World Economic Forum.
Aside from the economy, prices and taxes, Trump went off-script on various other topics during his speech, including elections, immigration and foreign affairs, often abandoning his teleprompter to do so and making numerous false claims along the way.
Foreign affairs: Trump mentioned the operation to take Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro into custody, calling it “as flawless an attack as there has ever been.”
He also nodded to his decision to strike Iranian nuclear facilities in June, suggesting without the attack “you wouldn’t have peace in the Middle East.”
Later, he found himself discussing the Panama Canal, which he called “the most profitable thing ever built.”
Vance and Rubio to meet with Danish and Greenlandic officials today
Vice President JD Vance is set to host a meeting today with the Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as President Donald Trump seeks to take over Greenland.
Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark.
Speaking to reporters in Copenhagen yesterday, Løkke said the meeting was requested by Denmark and Greenland.
“Our reason for seeking the meeting we have now been given was to move this whole discussion, which has not become less tense since we last met, into a meeting room where we can look each other in the eye and talk about these things,” Løkke added
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