Second Lady to Visit Potential Future US Territory Amidst Annexation Controversy

Amidst President Donald Trump’s comments about acquiring Greenland, second lady Usha Vance plans to visit the country on Thursday with one of her sons and a United States delegation.

Vance will spend Thursday, March 27, to Sunday, March 30, in Greenland to “visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenland’s national dogsled race,” according to a news release from the vice president’s office.

“Ms. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity,” the statement says.

National security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are also expected to visit the U.S. military base in Greenland for briefings from U.S. personnel, reports say.

The trips follow Trump’s statements about annexing Greenland due to its strategic location and rich mineral resources. The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., toured the island prior to his father’s January inauguration.

Greenland’s outgoing prime minister, Mute Egede, described the visits from Vance, Waltz, and Wright as “highly aggressive,” adding that the Americans were not invited for meetings.

Greenland’s likely incoming leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, accused the U.S. of showing a lack of respect through the visits.

The Kingdom of Denmark, which currently owns Greenland, has been clear the island is not for sale.

This is not Vance’s first overseas trip since her husband became vice president. The lawyer and mother of three has already visited India, Italy, and Paris.

Vance is a civil litigator who has clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was then on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Vice presidential spouses have a long history of official foreign trips.

Former second lady Karen Pence hosted a tree planting ceremony at the Espaco Israel Pinheiro in Brazil. Other foreign trips included Tallinn, Estonia; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Podgorica, Montenegro.

Former second gentleman Doug Emhoff traveled to the capital of Samoa, Apia. As second lady, Jill Biden traveled to nearly 40 countries.