Miller defends Trump push for Greenland, says Denmark won’t fight

White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller on Monday defended President Donald Trump’s positive stance on purchasing Greenland and questioned the validity of Denmark’s territorial claim.

The Trump administration’s bold operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro sent geopolitical shockwaves around the world over the weekend, with leaders questioning what he might do next.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump also gave clues about possible geopolitical changes for Colombia and Greenland.

Miller was questioned by CNN’s Jake Tapper about his wife Katie’s social media post that read “Soon” next to a map of Greenland in American flag colors. Tapper then asked Miller if he would rule out the possibility of Trump seizing Greenland by force.

BRIEFING: HOW CAPITOL HILL REACTED TO THE NEWS OF NICOLAS MADURO’S CAPTURE

“Well, let me take a step back. The president has been clear for months,” Miller said. “So I know you’re treating this as breaking news. The President has made clear for months that the United States should be the nation that accepts Greenland as part of our overall security apparatus.”

He added: “Since the beginning of this administration, frankly going back to the previous Trump administration, it has been the official position of the US government that Greenland should be part of the US. The president has been very clear on that. That is the official position of the US government.”

“Correct. So would you say military action against Greenland is off the table?” Tapper asked.

Miller scoffed at the idea, noting that Greenland has a small population.

COLOMBIA PRESIDENT PETRO THREATENED MILITARY STRUGGLE AFTER TRUMP WARNED COLOMBIA COULD BE THE NEXT TARGET

President Donald Trump’s capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro sent shock waves around the world. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images (left); Gaby Oraa/Getty Images (right))

“This will not be a military action against Greenland,” he said. “Greenland has a population of 30,000, Jake. The question is, by what right does Denmark claim control over Greenland? What is the basis for its territorial claims? What is the basis for Greenland being a colony of Denmark?”

He went on to argue that the United States, the largest military power in the NATO alliance, was best protecting the interests of everyone involved by seizing the region.

“Of course, Greenland must be a part of the United States in order to ensure the security of the United States’ Arctic region and to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests,” he said. “And that’s a conversation we’re going to have as a country. It’s a process we’re going to go through as a community of nations.”

“So you can’t take the US using military force to seize Greenland off the table?” Tapper asked.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE NEWS ON MEDIA AND CULTURE

President Donald Trump. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION

Miller chuckled and mocked Tapper, claiming he was fishing for an exciting headline for his show. Tapper said he was just trying to get a direct answer to his question.

“The United States should take Greenland as part of the United States,” Miller said. “There’s no need to even think about or talk about it in the context of the military operation you’re asking about. No one is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.”