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Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) has praised President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial ambitions to expand U.S. territory by including Panama, Greenland, and Canada.
Speaking on CNN Wednesday afternoon, the newly sworn-in lawmaker declared that these nations should feel “honored” by Trump’s vision, which has drawn widespread international criticism.
“I think the people of Panama, Greenland, and Canada should be honored that President Trump wants to bring these territories under the American fold,” Gill stated. His remarks come as leaders from all three nations strongly oppose the proposal, which Trump recently suggested could even involve military force.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was quick to dismiss the idea, posting on X, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.
Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.” Trudeau’s firm rejection was echoed by Canada’s Green Party leader, Elizabeth May, who condemned the notion as baseless and unfeasible.
Meanwhile, the chief of the Panama Canal Authority, Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, emphasized that any attempt by Trump to take control of the canal or impose preferential rates for passage would violate international law and destabilize the nation.
Vásquez Morales’s statement highlighted the potential chaos such a move could unleash on Panama’s economy and sovereignty.
Greenland has also pushed back against the proposition, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterating that the Arctic territory, which has made strides toward independence from Denmark, is categorically “not for sale.”
Frederiksen previously rebuked similar comments by Trump during his presidency in 2019, dismissing the idea as absurd.
Despite the strong resistance from these nations, Trump has continued to support his vision, even praising his son, Donald Trump Jr., for making a trip to Greenland amid the controversy.
The president-elect has yet to take formal action, as he must wait until his inauguration, but questions remain about whether his administration can garner enough Republican support to advance such a contentious plan.
Gill, however, remains steadfast in his endorsement of the proposal, framing it as a critical move to bolster the United States. During the CNN interview, he criticized Democrats, accusing them of prioritizing the rights of undocumented immigrants over national interests.
“This is a Democratic Party that is more interested in advancing the interests of criminal, illegal aliens on American territory committing crimes against American citizens than they are in advancing the interests of this nation,” Gill declared. “I find that utterly repugnant, and that is something President Trump is going to fix.”
Trump’s expansionist vision has reignited debates about the feasibility and legality of acquiring foreign territories in the modern era.
While territorial acquisitions have historically shaped the United States, such as the Louisiana Purchase or the annexation of Alaska, experts argue that contemporary international norms and geopolitical realities make such ambitions unlikely to succeed.
The backlash has not deterred Trump or his supporters, who see the proposal as a bold move to redefine America’s global standing. However, critics warn that pursuing territorial expansion risks alienating key allies, undermining international law, and straining diplomatic relations.
Whether Trump’s administration will pursue these plans or shift focus to less divisive initiatives remains unclear.
As the controversy unfolds, the international community watches closely, wary of potential escalations. With his inauguration approaching, Trump faces mounting pressure to clarify his administration’s priorities and whether this bold, highly criticized proposal will remain on his agenda.
For now, the idea of expanding America’s borders into Panama, Greenland, and Canada remains a contentious and divisive issue, sparking debate about the limits of executive power and the role of the United States on the global stage.
