Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Defense, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

While testifying in front of the House Armed Services Committee, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refused to clearly say that the United States does not have plans to invade Greenland.

During an exchange with Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), Hegseth was asked to clarify his testimony, with Turner clearly asking whether the United States military has plans to invade the sovereign nation. Hegseth did not deny such plans, vaguely saying that the Pentagon looks forward to ensuring Greenland’s security.

“I just want to help you out because people try to, you know, twist your words,” Turner said. “You are not confirming in your testimony today that at the Pentagon, there are plans for invading or taking by force Greenland, correct? That is not your testimony today.”

“All my testimony is that the Pentagon has plans for any number of contingencies,” Hegseth replied.

“It is not your testimony today that there are plans at the Pentagon for taking by force or invading Greenland, correct?” an alarmed Turner asked. “Because I’m sure as hell hope that it is not your testimony.”

“We look forward to working with Greenland to ensure that it is secured from any potential threats,” Hegseth stated.

Hegseth’s testimony comes after President Donald Trump and his administration have pushed to include Greenland under the United States’ security umbrella. Since taking office in January, Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to “have Greenland.” The administration sent Vice President J.D. Vance to the country in March to convince them to break away from Denmark, which owns Greenland.

Hegseth has previously come under scrutiny for including military plans in two different Signal group chats which leaked to the press in March. When pressed on whether he shared classified material through unsecure networks, Hegseth also falsely argued that he cannot disclose which information is classified and which isn’t.