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From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more During a CNN interview on Monday, Stephen Miller offered a strong defense of recent actions taken by the Trump administration in Latin America. This included efforts related to capturing Venezuela’s ousted leader and reviving threats about taking control of Greenland. Miller, who serves as deputy White House chief of staff and Homeland Security adviser, argued that under what he called the “Trump doctrine,” the U. S. will use its military “unapologetically” for its interests, which he claimed are tied directly to “the future of the free world.” “We’re a superpower and under President Trump, we are going to conduct ourselves as a superpower,” he stated. As Tapper pressed Miller about why another Maduro associate was still in power, Miller dismissed expectations that opposition leader María Corina Machado could easily take over as “absurd and preposterous.” When asked how they justified invading another nation and arresting its leader, Miller interjected firmly with “Damn straight we did!” open image in gallery In a heated CNN interview after the U. S. invaded Venezuela, Stephen Miller argued the U. S. will unapologetically act as a global ‘superpower’ and use its military against perceived threats in the Western Hemisphere (CNN) “The point, Jake, is that we’re not going to let tinpot communist dictators send rapists into our country, send drugs into our country, send weapons into our country,” he continued. “And we’re not going to let a country fall into the hands of our adversaries.” Regarding Greenland, Miller maintained an assertive stance on U. S. authority there while questioning what claim Denmark has over this recognized territory. He insisted that “nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.” The remarks came just after Miller posted on X arguing that Western nations should have retained their empires post-WWII. Lately, rhetoric from Trump’s administration has echoed imperial tones reminiscent of early 20th century views as it defends its surprise operation against Maduro alongside Trump’s claims regarding securing Greenland for national security reasons.
open image in gallery
The Trump administration has offered shifting rationale for its capture of Nicolás Maduro, ranging from a desire to reassert U. S. oil claims, to stopping the flow of drugs from Venezuela to the U. S.(Reuters)
“We need Greenland fromthe standpointof national security, andthe European Union needsus tohav eit, and theyknowthat,”Trump recently said.
The comments have sparked significant backlashfrom leadersin Greenland , Denmark , andacross Europeincluding NATO.
“Ifthe United States decides tomilit arily attackanother NAT Ocountry , then everything wouldstop -that includes NATOandthereforepost-second world war security,”Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister, told Danish television network TV2on Monday.
Danish lawmaker Anders Vistisen, a memberof European Parliament, told CNN later Mondaythattheadministration’s stance toward Greenlandwas “appalling”and “very frankly stupid.”
“When we’re talkingabout Green land, we’re nottalkingabout adrug-run dictatorship,”hesaid.”We’retalkingabouta NATO-alliedcountry, a NATOterritorythat belongsto afriendly nationthatisa very close allyto USA, andhasbeensoformorethan70 years.”
“Threats , pressureand talkof annexation do notbelong anywherebetween friends,”Greenland’s Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen saidin astatement Sunday.”That’snothow you talktoapeople whohave repeatedlyshown responsibility , stabilityand loyalty.”
The EUhas describedthe Trumpadministration’srecent postureas contraryto international law.
“The EUwill continue toupholdtheprinciplesof nationalsovereignty , territorialintegrityandtheinviolabilityof borders,”EU spokesperson Anitta Hipper saidon Monday.
open image ingalleryOfficialsin Greenland , Denmark, NATO, andthe EUall vigorouslyoppose US threats totakeover Arcticterritory(Dennis Lehtonen)“Theseareuniversal principles, andwe willnot stopdefending them ; all themoresoif territorial integrityofa memberstateofthe European Unionis questioned.”
Some praisedthepresident’s aggressive regional tactics.
“Ifyou don’tuseit, youlose it ,”Fox News anchor Jesse Watterssaid duringa Monday eveningdiscussion segment.”Thatgoesfor Green landandalso go esforallofthe oilthat Venezuela has; Denmarkbetterwiseup. Theyshouldsellitto us , leasetous. Wecouldrunittogether; who cares?”
“We’rekickingthe Chineseoutofthehemisphere ,”headded.”Thatgoesforthe Arcticandthatsg o esfor Latin America.”
Despite widespreadopposition, the Trumpadministrationhas signaledmore unwantedinterventionscouldbecomingfor U. S. neighbors.
In December, theadministrationappointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landryasspecialenvoyto Greenland; amid President’sresumedbidtotakeovertheisland. Inrecentdays, trumphas warned Mexico getitsacttogether ”andeffectively told Colombian President Gustavo Petrothat hiscountrycouldbenextto face militaryaction.
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