America-first instincts are being painted as a provocation by our so-called allies, and now Europe is rushing soldiers to Greenland in a spectacle of posturing that should concern every patriotic American. Denmark has quietly moved to establish a more permanent NATO footprint in the Arctic—an outcome nobody wanted, but one that follows heated discussions over President Trump’s blunt insistence that Greenland is of strategic value to the United States.
Troops from France, Germany, Sweden and others have begun arriving in Nuuk and other locations under the banner of exercises and “security cooperation,” a clear signal that European capitals would rather flex than negotiate. Leaders in Paris and Berlin sent small contingents for Arctic drills that Denmark is coordinating, all designed to show unity and deter what they portray as U.S. unilateralism.
President Trump has never been subtle about putting American security first; he argued publicly that Greenland is vital to U.S. strategic interests and even pressed NATO to take a role in securing the island rather than ceding it to rivals. Whether you cheer or jeer his style, the reality is simple: the Arctic matters to our missile defense and to countering growing Russian and Chinese ambitions. The debate flipped from diplomatic to military after Trump’s renewed push.
Meanwhile, European leaders are pretending that these deployments are purely defensive and not at all about sending a message to Washington. That hypocrisy stings: nations that rely on American deterrence for their own security suddenly lecture the United States and send token forces to Greenland to score political points. Hardworking Americans who pay for NATO’s lion’s share should be angered by the spectacle of performative solidarity.
Denmark’s prime minister has framed Greenland’s defense as a “common concern” for NATO and is pushing a narrative that Europe is stepping up to protect the Arctic — a convenient talking point that obscures who actually pays the bills for transatlantic security. The move to rotate allied units and plan a larger footprint is less about strategy and more about optics in the wake of Washington’s insistence on protecting its interests. Europeans are trying to have it both ways: take U.S. protection, then scold America for asserting itself.
Conservatives should recognize two truths here: first, national leaders must be willing to act when American security is at stake; and second, alliances only work when partners contribute and speak plainly. President Trump’s willingness to prioritize U.S. strategic advantages is not recklessness, it is what commanders used to call clarity of purpose. We should not apologize for putting America first, and we must demand that NATO partners stop playing geopolitical games at our expense.
If European partners want to show seriousness in the Arctic, they should put real resources on the table and coordinate with Washington instead of staging symbolic missions to curry favor at home. The Danish-led activity may be meant to soothe nerves, but it won’t substitute for a coherent transatlantic plan that protects both Greenland and American interests. It is past time allies stopped treating the United States like a convenient ATM and started behaving like true partners.
In the end, this episode should remind patriotic Americans why strong leadership matters: when the stakes are high, a bold president who thinks strategically about territory, defense and deterrence is exactly what the country needs. Let our leaders pursue practical security measures, insist on burden-sharing, and never let European theatrics intimidate us into silence. America will always put its security first, and any ally unwilling to do the same should be politely escorted into doing so or left to handle the consequences alone.
