Speaking to reporters less than two weeks before he takes office on Jan. 20 and as a delegation of aides and advisers that includes his son Donald Trump Jr. is in Greenland, Trump left open the use of the American military to secure both territories.

“I’m not going to commit to that,” he said, when asked if he would rule out the use of the military. “It might be that you’ll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country.” He added, “We need Greenland for national security purposes.” Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a longtime U.S. ally and a founding member of NATO.

  • AA5B@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    While I understand this is just a distraction ….

    I am somewhat curious how it would play out. As the upcoming Commander-in-Chief, Trump will be in command of all military. He can say “go”. However any officer with any ethical backbone should reply “no”. So, will he get enough sycophants in enough places instead of competent leaders, that he could actually pull shenanigans like this?

    • catloaf@lemm.ee
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      5 months ago

      Legally, only Congress has the right to make war.

      Not that the law has really stopped him so far.

        • dylanmorgan@slrpnk.net
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          5 months ago

          It’s an old Nixon trick. Actually an old Truman trick, using the US military in un-declared wars started with the Korean conflict, but Nixon and Kissinger really amped things up with their secret war in Cambodia.

        • WindyRebel@lemmy.world
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          5 months ago

          Special Operation Green Initiative

          Edit: I really fucking hope I’m wrong or the military tells him to go fuck himself if he orders that.