President Donald Trump has appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special US envoy to Greenland. The choice of a sitting state governor for a federal diplomatic role is unusual.
Trump announced the appointment Sunday evening on Truth Social. He stressed Greenland’s critical role in US national security. “Jeff understands how important Greenland is to our national security, and will aggressively advance our country’s interests for the safety, security, and survival of our allies, and indeed the world,” Trump wrote in his post.
It is still unknown whether Landry will step down as governor or try to balance both roles simultaneously. Neither the White House nor Landry’s office provided any clarification Sunday evening about the practical arrangements for the dual positions.
An unusual choice for the current governor
Appointing a state governor to a federal diplomatic position is unusual in American politics. Governors typically complete their terms before accepting federal appointments or resign from their state positions to take on new roles.
Landry, 53, became Louisiana’s governor in January 2024 after previously serving as the state’s attorney general. He won the election with 52% of the vote in a crowded field, avoiding a runoff. Landry, a former Republican congressman and military veteran, is a conservative populist who focuses on crime reduction, economic development, and traditional values.
If Landry resigns as governor, Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser will serve as governor for the remainder of the term. The Louisiana Constitution provides a clear line of succession. Landry’s office did not say whether such a shift was being considered. However, the “special envoy” role involves a single trip or mission, which likely would not require Landry to step down and raise the issue of succession.
Trump’s continued focus on Greenland
The appointment of the special envoy is Trump’s latest step in his continued interest in expanding American influence in Greenland. During his first term, Trump proposed that the United States buy the island outright, a proposal that Denmark and Greenland quickly rejected.
Earlier in 2025, Vice President J.D. Vance visited a remote US military facility on the island and publicly criticized Denmark for underinvesting in Greenland’s defense infrastructure. Two weeks ago, Greenland hosted meetings with US officials as part of regular diplomatic engagement between the US, Denmark and Greenland on Arctic security matters.
Trump has repeatedly stated that gaining or expanding US control over Greenland is necessary for national security. He did not specify what the consequences of increasing the American presence would be. The creation of a special envoy position specifically focused on Greenland shows that the administration wants a diplomatic approach to strengthening the U.S. position there.
Competition intensifies in the Arctic
The United States faces increasing competition from China and Russia for influence in the Arctic region. Climate change has accelerated the melting of ice in the region. This opened up new shipping routes and made previously inaccessible natural resources available.
Greenland has significant reserves of rare earth minerals essential for modern technology and military applications, including zinc, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, uranium, and various elements important for electronics manufacturing. China currently dominates the global rare earth metals market. Greenland’s untapped deposits are becoming more valuable from a national security perspective.
US officials have expressed concern about Chinese investment attempts in infrastructure in Greenland. In 2019, a Chinese company actively pursued contracts for airport expansion projects. The United States worked successfully with Denmark to support the Danish alternative proposal, which was eventually accepted by the Greenlandic government.