THE ADMINISTRATION OF UNITED States President Donald Trump has ordered American intelligence agencies to focus on Greenland, while also mulling a plan to establish a formal association with the island territory. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), headed by Tulsi Gabbard, has communicated an official “collection emphasis message” on Greenland to the directors of American intelligence agencies.
Citing “two people familiar with the effort”, the paper said that the classified message was communicated to the leadership of the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency, among other members of the intelligence community. The recipients of the order were instructed to prioritize the collection of intelligence about the politics of Greenland and Denmark to which Greenland belongs. They were also instructed to collect information about the island’s economic and social dynamics, including its inhabitants’ views on the United States.
The United States government uses collection emphasis directives as a means of aligning the use of intelligence resources with the White House’s policy priorities. According to The Wall Street Journal, the directive appears to be among the first concrete steps taken by the White House to utilize the government’s national security apparatus in support of President Trump’s often-stated desire to acquire Greenland on behalf of the United States. The island’s 57,000 residents are citizens of Denmark, which is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a longtime American military and political ally.
When asked to comment on this report by The Wall Street Journal, DNI Gabbard accused the newspaper of “breaking the law and undermining our nation’s security and democracy [by] leaking classified information”. She added that the newspaper “should be ashamed of aiding deep state actors who seek to undermine the President by politicizing and leaking classified information”.
Meanwhile, the Reuters news agency reported last week that White House officials have begun outlining a plan to pursue a so-called Compact of Free Association (COFA) between the United States and Greenland. The United States maintains COFA agreements with several Pacific Island nations, including Micronesia and Palau. These agreements permit the American military to operate on the soil and maritime jurisdiction of these nations. In return, the United States provides these nations with essential services, as well as security and military protection.
► Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 12 May 2025 | Permalink
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White House orders spy agencies to prioritize intelligence collection on Greenland
May 12, 2025 by Joseph Fitsanakis 8 Comments
Citing “two people familiar with the effort”, the paper said that the classified message was communicated to the leadership of the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency, among other members of the intelligence community. The recipients of the order were instructed to prioritize the collection of intelligence about the politics of Greenland and Denmark to which Greenland belongs. They were also instructed to collect information about the island’s economic and social dynamics, including its inhabitants’ views on the United States.
The United States government uses collection emphasis directives as a means of aligning the use of intelligence resources with the White House’s policy priorities. According to The Wall Street Journal, the directive appears to be among the first concrete steps taken by the White House to utilize the government’s national security apparatus in support of President Trump’s often-stated desire to acquire Greenland on behalf of the United States. The island’s 57,000 residents are citizens of Denmark, which is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a longtime American military and political ally.
When asked to comment on this report by The Wall Street Journal, DNI Gabbard accused the newspaper of “breaking the law and undermining our nation’s security and democracy [by] leaking classified information”. She added that the newspaper “should be ashamed of aiding deep state actors who seek to undermine the President by politicizing and leaking classified information”.
Meanwhile, the Reuters news agency reported last week that White House officials have begun outlining a plan to pursue a so-called Compact of Free Association (COFA) between the United States and Greenland. The United States maintains COFA agreements with several Pacific Island nations, including Micronesia and Palau. These agreements permit the American military to operate on the soil and maritime jurisdiction of these nations. In return, the United States provides these nations with essential services, as well as security and military protection.
► Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 12 May 2025 | Permalink
Filed under Expert news and commentary on intelligence, espionage, spies and spying Tagged with collection emphasis directive, Denmark, Greenland, intelligence collection, News, Tulsi Gabbard, United States