U.S. Senator Thom Tillis blasted the Trump administration over its continued, escalating push to acquire the autonomous territory of Greenland, denouncing the advice the President has received from a top advisor while emphasizing that the U.S. Senate is a co-equal branch of the U.S. government.

The Republican senior senator from North Carolina, described as “extremely fiery” by one congressional reporter, targeted Stephen Miller by name in a floor speech on Wednesday, saying that the White House Deputy Chief of Staff had said that “obviously, Greenland should be part of the U.S.”

“That is absurd,” Tillis responded.

“You know what makes me cranky?” the senator continued. “Stupid.”

Tillis, who serves as the co-chair of the Senate NATO Advisor Group, denounced Miller’s “insane comments about how it is our right to have territory owned by the Kingdom of Denmark.”

READ MORE: Can Trump Take Greenland by Force Without Congress? Johnson Won’t Say, Walks Away

“Folks, amateur hour is over,” Tillis continued, before directing his remarks directly at Miller.

“You don’t speak on behalf of this U.S. Senator or the Congress. You can say, ‘it may be the position of the President of the United States, that Greenland should be a part of the United States,’ but it’s not the position of this government, because we are a co-equal branch.”

“One of two things happened with Greenland,” he said. Either President Trump “came up with the idea that maybe we should have Greenland as a part of our assets,” or “Mr. Miller or somebody else said, ‘Hey, this would be cool. Let’s take over Greenland.'”

“Well, that’s stupid, too,” Tillis declared. “And I’m sick of stupid.”

Sen. Tillis: “This nonsense on what’s going on with Greenland is a distraction from the good work he’s doing, and the amateurs who said it was a good idea should lose their jobs.” pic.twitter.com/f3q9xPrdHl

— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) January 7, 2026

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The White House has said that all options are on the table — including military force — for President Donald Trump to decide how he wants to acquire Greenland. But when asked if the Commander in Chief would need congressional authorization to take Greenland by force, Speaker Mike Johnson declined to give a definitive answer but suggested it might not be required — before walking away.

Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, is not for sale. The vast majority of its citizens do not want to be taken over by the United States. As for national security concerns, the U.S. already has a significant military foothold in Greenland through longstanding defense agreements with Denmark, including the Pituffik base.

Some legal experts say Trump would need congressional approval to use the U.S. military to take Greenland by force.

READ MORE: Dr. Oz: Seniors Should Delay Retirement to Boost the Economy

U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), an attorney and retired Air Force JAG colonel, on Wednesday told members of the U.S. Armed Forces that any Trump order to use military force against Greenland without congressional approval constitutes an illegal order.

“There is absolutely no legal justification whatsoever to use military force against a NATO ally, against Greenland,” he said. “If any military member, including the generals on down, to enlisted members, if any of them participate in the use of military force against Greenland without congressional authorization, they are following illegal orders. That’s simply a fact.”

But Speaker Johnson, a constitutional attorney, appeared to have a different — and less definitive — take.

Desjardins asked if Johnson could clarify if any U.S. military force in Greenland would have to be congressionally approved. Johnson replied, “Uh, no, I can’t, because, um, it depends on what that is.”

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“Is that not a congressional power?” Desjardins asked.

“Congress has a responsibility to declare war,” Johnson continued. “I think there is no scenario where we would be at war with Greenland.”

“Under Article II,” Johnson added, “the president has broad authority as the commander in chief.”

After some more back-and-forth, Johnson walked away, saying, “Bye, guys.”

GREENLAND.

—> @SpeakerJohnson told me – no, he does not think @potus would necessarily need Congressional approval to use military force in Greenland.

Important note – Johnson does not believe the U.S. will do this.

But still significant statement about Congressional… pic.twitter.com/jwKMKI2gcQ

— Lisa Desjardins (@LisaDNews) January 7, 2026

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Image via Reuters

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is urging America’s seniors to delay their retirement plans so they can help boost the U.S. gross domestic product, a measure of economic activity.

Oz was speaking at a Trump administration press conference addressing new dietary guidelines.

According to PBS, the new guidelines suggest “more whole foods and protein, fewer highly processed foods and less added sugar,” and note “that Americans should choose whole-food sources of saturated fat — such as meat, whole-fat dairy or avocados — while continuing to limit saturated fat consumption to no more than 10% of daily calories. The guidance says ‘other options can include butter or beef tallow,’ despite previous recommendations to avoid those fats.”

Oz told reporters, “If we’re able to get the average American, who today retires on average, at age 61, get them just to work one year longer because they feel so vital, so strong, so bullish about their future — because they’re feeding their bodies nutrients that are essential to their high functioning productivity — we will increase the overall GDP of our nation by trillions of dollars.”

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“So we will reduce health care expenses at the same time we jazz up the U.S. economy with trillions of dollars created by the productivity of American workers,” he added.

Critics were quick to blast Oz’s suggestion of working longer.

Max Steele, senior director of communications at the anti-gun violence group Everytown, wrote: “GOP midterm message to seniors: ‘work one year longer’.”

A Democratic National Committee social media account alleged, “Dr. Oz hints at raising the retirement age.”

Other social media commentators chastised the administration over the high cost of health insurance, groceries, and shelter.

Oz: If we are able to get the average American who retires at the age of 61, get them to work one year longer because they feel so vital because they are feeding their bodies, we will increase the overall gdp by trillions pic.twitter.com/NLKFuADiHm

— Acyn (@Acyn) January 7, 2026

READ MORE: House GOP Math Gets Brutal After Republican’s ‘Sudden’ Death and Another Hospitalized

Image via Reuters