Vice President Vance and his wife Usha travel to Greenland amid U.S. takeover dispute.

Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance Head to Greenland Amid U.S. Takeover Controversy

Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance are en route to Greenland on Friday morning for a scaled-back visit to Pituffik Space Base.

The couple boarded Air Force Two shortly after 6 a.m. ET, accompanied by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Senator Mike Lee. They are expected to arrive at approximately 11:45 a.m. ET.

The trip was originally planned as a cultural visit for the Second Lady, including attendance at a national dogsled race. However, following heavy criticism, that aspect of the visit was scrapped. Instead, Vice President Vance is expected to deliver remarks and receive briefings at the space base, according to a spokeswoman.

The visit comes amid escalating tensions after President Trump repeatedly suggested that the U.S. should take control of Greenland for national security reasons, citing increased Chinese and Russian activity in the Arctic. Ahead of Vance’s trip, Trump reiterated his stance on Greenland’s strategic importance.

“We need Greenland for national and international security,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday. “Denmark needs us to have Greenland. If we don’t, we can’t ensure great international security.”

Trump first floated the idea of acquiring Greenland during his first term in office.

In a press release, Vice President Vance defended the visit, stating, “For decades, neglect and inaction from Danish leaders and past U.S. administrations have allowed our adversaries to advance their priorities in Greenland and the Arctic. President Trump is rightly changing course.”

Energy Secretary Chris Wright echoed this sentiment, telling Fox News on Thursday that Greenland has long sought investment from U.S. mining companies to develop its resources but has struggled due to a lack of infrastructure.

“If the United States establishes the right cooperation, capital can flow into Greenland, bringing jobs, economic opportunities, and critical minerals to both Greenland and the U.S.,” Wright said.

However, the prospect of Greenland becoming part of the U.S. is widely opposed in both Greenland and Denmark, where officials have condemned the visit. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen called Trump’s remarks an “escalation” and criticized the rhetoric toward a close ally.

“These strong statements do not suit the U.S. president,” Poulsen said Thursday. “I must speak out against what I see as an escalation from the American side.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also accused the U.S. of putting “unacceptable pressure” on Greenland and Denmark, stating that both regions would “resist.”

The timing of the visit has sparked additional controversy, as Greenland is forming a coalition government following parliamentary elections two weeks ago.

Adding to the tension, both JD Vance and Mike Waltz are at the center of a scandal involving an alleged conversation over the Signal messaging app discussing an attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen. The conversation, which was inadvertently overheard by The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, was reported earlier this week, fueling further scrutiny of the vice president’s actions.