JUST IN: Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen have introduced a bill to block Trump from taking over Greenland. The NATO Unity Protection Act would bar the use of Defense or State Department funds to blockade, occupy, annex, or otherwise assert control over the sovereign territory of a NATO member.

JUST IN: Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen have introduced a bill to block Trump from taking over Greenland.

The NATO Unity Protection Act would bar the use of Defense or State Department funds to blockade, occupy, annex, or otherwise assert control over the sovereign territory of a NATO member.

**January 15, 2026 — Washington, D.C.** — Republican Senator **Lisa Murkowski** of Alaska and Democratic Senator **Jeanne Shaheen** of New Hampshire have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at preventing any attempt by the United States to take control of **Greenland**, a self‑governing territory of **Denmark** and a member of the **North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)**.

Under the proposed **NATO Unity Protection Act**, the U.S. government would be barred from using **Department of Defense** or **Department of State** funds to *“blockade, occupy, annex or otherwise assert control”* over the sovereign territory of a NATO member state without that state’s consent and approval by NATO’s governing body, the North Atlantic Council. The bill is a direct response to recent remarks by President **Donald Trump** expressing interest in bringing Greenland under U.S. control, including the suggestion that force could be used if necessary — a proposal that alarmed many lawmakers and NATO allies.

In public statements, Shaheen stressed that the alliance’s strength depends on “unity, trust and respect for the sovereignty of every member state,” and warned that any suggestion of seizing an ally’s territory would damage NATO’s credibility and U.S. national security interests. Murkowski echoed those concerns, calling the idea of using American resources against allied territory “deeply troubling” and saying such actions must be expressly prohibited by statute. ([GlobalSecurity][2])

Greenland’s government and Denmark have repeatedly rejected the notion of selling or ceding the island, emphasizing their commitment to sovereignty and alliance cooperation. Strategically located in the Arctic with rich natural resources and key military installations, Greenland has become a focal point in broader debates over great power competition in the region.

The bill’s fate remains uncertain in a divided Congress, and even if passed, it could face a veto from the White House. But its introduction marks an unusually pointed rebuke from lawmakers of both parties against unilateral actions that could strain longstanding alliances.