1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge immediate congressional action in response to President Trump's recent letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre regarding Greenland. This letter, forwarded by the White House National Security Council to ambassadors in Washington, threatens the stability of NATO and our relationships with longstanding democratic allies. In the letter, Trump expresses grievance that Norway did not award him the Nobel Peace Prize for allegedly stopping "8 Wars PLUS" and uses this personal complaint as justification to reconsider his obligation to "think purely of Peace." He questions Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland despite centuries of Danish control and numerous written documents, including some signed by the United States, establishing their legal ownership. Most alarmingly, he concludes that "The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland." This letter contains multiple factual inaccuracies that undermine American credibility. Trump did not end eight wars. Greenland residents are Danish citizens who vote in Danish elections. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, not the Norwegian government, determines the Peace Prize winner. Trump appears to conflate Norway with Denmark while threatening both NATO allies based on a personal grievance about an award he never received. NATO was created by the United States and has only ever been invoked in defense of American interests. European members have increased defense spending in response to Russian aggression, not because of American pressure. Threatening to invade the territory of a NATO ally over a personal slight about a prize undermines the alliance that has kept America secure for 75 years. Congress has constitutional authority over declarations of war and foreign policy. I urge you to take immediate action to prevent any military aggression against our allies and to reaffirm America's commitment to NATO. Our national security depends on the stability of our alliances, not the personal grievances of one individual.