Outgoing Nebraska Representative Don Bacon has publicly criticized President Donald Trump over a controversial letter addressed to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, which was made public this week. In the letter, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Denmark’s refusal to award him the Nobel Peace Prize and questioned the country’s sovereignty over Greenland. Bacon took to social media, calling the president’s behavior “very disrespectful conduct.”
In his letter, Trump stated, “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace.” He further challenged Denmark’s “right of ownership” regarding Greenland, suggesting that historical claims were tenuous at best, saying, “There are no written documents; it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago.”
The letter also included remarks on NATO, with Trump asserting, “I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States.” He concluded with a dramatic assertion about Greenland, claiming, “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”
Bacon’s condemnation of Trump’s remarks highlights a growing divide within the Republican Party. He is one of the few Republicans to openly oppose the president’s provocative statements regarding Greenland, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark. Bacon warned that any military action taken by Trump to claim Greenland could jeopardize his presidency.
In an interview with the Omaha World-Herald, Bacon stated, “I’ll be candid with you. There’s so many Republicans mad about this.” He further indicated that House Republicans may need to “lean toward” impeachment should Trump pursue military options in Greenland.
Bacon characterized the idea of an invasion as “utter buffoonery,” labeling it a “disastrous idea.” He expressed concern that such actions would alienate allies and lead to catastrophic consequences. “It would be a total mistake to invade an ally,” he warned, emphasizing the potential fallout of military aggression.
Despite his strong stance, Bacon refrained from committing to a definitive vote on impeachment related to Greenland, stating, “I don’t want to give you a definite yes or no, but I would lean that way.”
As a representative who will not seek re-election, Bacon’s comments reflect a broader frustration within the party regarding Trump’s behavior. He concluded that the president must recognize that Republicans will not tolerate aggressive moves against allies, urging for a shift away from such rhetoric.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Bacon’s outspoken criticism may serve as a bellwether for the Republican Party’s future direction under Trump’s leadership.
