Trump's special envoy to Greenland sparks backlash with comments about taking over the territory

President Donald Trump's appointment of a United States special envoy to Greenland has drawn backlash from Danish and Greenlandic officials, who continue to push back against the president's desire to take over the autonomous Danish territory.

Trump announced on Sunday that he is appointing Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, saying in a social media post that the governor "understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World."

In response, Landry said on X that the special envoy position would be "a volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S."

Following Trump's announcement, the prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland reiterated that "national borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law."

"You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security," the leaders said in a joint statement. "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland."

Denmark's foreign affairs minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, also reacted strongly to the appointment and Landry's remarks, telling reporters on Monday, "I am very upset about this appointment of a special envoy. And I am particularly upset about the envoy's statements, which we find completely unacceptable."

Rasmussen said he would summon the U.S. ambassador to Denmark -- Ken Howery -- over the appointment to "once again make it clear that there are some lines being crossed here, but of course also to get an explanation."

"We thought that we now had a U.S. ambassador in Denmark, with whom we would have a relationship throughout the Kingdom," Rasmussen said. "I think we have already developed a good working relationship, and it is also my impression that the ambassador has that opinion. Out of nowhere, there is now a special U.S. presidential representative, who, according to himself, is tasked with taking over Greenland. This is, of course, completely unacceptable."

Landry appears to be the first U.S. special envoy to Greenland. He said Sunday that his role will not affect his current job as governor.

Landry said in a video posted to social media on Monday that Trump had called him and asked if he could "go to Greenland and talk to them about the opportunity of being a part of the United States."

Later Monday, Trump told reporters that Landry had called him about needing Greenland for national security and that the governor wanted to "lead the charge." ABC News has reached out to Landry's office for comment.

Landry has previously voiced support for Trump's proposal to annex Greenland, saying on X in January, "We need to ensure that Greenland joins the United States. GREAT for them, GREAT for us! Let’s get it done!"

Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to take control of Greenland, framing the huge Arctic territory as vital for American national security. The president has proposed purchasing the island and refused to rule out military action to seize control of it.

Politicians in Greenland and Denmark, of which Greenland is an autonomous territory, have repeatedly said the island is not for sale.

Trump's announcement comes just weeks after the White House and Greenland, along with the government of Denmark, participated in the annual U.S.-Greenland Joint Committee meeting in Nuuk, Greenland. Following the Dec. 8 meeting, the committee said in a statement that it "reaffirmed our commitment to a strong and forward-looking relationship based on mutual respect and grounded in shared interests and practical cooperation."

In March, ahead of Vice President JD Vance's controversial visit to the country, Trump said the U.S. will "go as far as we have to go" to get Greenland.

"We need Greenland. And the world needs us to have Greenland, including Denmark," Trump said at the time. "Denmark has to have us have Greenland. And, you know, we'll see what happens. But if we don't have Greenland, we can't have great international security."